LIBRARY OF CONGRES& 

-- fe^ri^i jfa 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



SIXTY YEARS 



IN THE HARVEST FIELD; 



FACTS AND INCIDENTS FROM THE EXPERIENCE 
OF A LAYMAN ; 

INCLUDING 

A BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH OF 

HAVILAH MO WRY, Jr., 

CITY MISSIONARY OF BROOKLYN, N. Y. 



i/ 



R. M. F.^ 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 

Rev. THEODORE L. CUYLER, D.D., 

LAFAYETTE AVE. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BROOKLYN, N.Jf*. 




A. S. BARNES & COMPANY, 
NEW YORK AND CHICAGO. 



,MtF? 



Copyright, 




Smith & McDougal, Electrottpkbb, 
82 Beekman St., N. Y. 



INTRODUCTION 

BY REV. THEODORE L. CUYLER, D. D. 



THERE is always room in this world for one more 
book which tells the refreshing story of winning 
souls to Jesus. Every such volume is, to a certain degree, 
an humble continuation of the " Book of the Acts ; " for 
that is the narrative of consecrated personal efforts. 
The method of Peter and Paul and Barnabas has never 
yet been improved upon ; they went everywhere, offering 
the gospel of eternal life to every individual with whom 
they came in contact. A very modest, but a very sincere 
and earnest imitator of this early Christian method is 
my beloved brother Mr. Havilah Mowry. 

For more than twenty years I have known him well, 
and have counted him a most efficient co-worker on 
many occasions. In seasons of revival, he has been 
especially helpful ; for he has a remarkable sagacity in 
dealing with difficult cases. Long experience has taught 
him a great deal about human nature, and of the opera- 
tions of the Holy Spirit upon awakened hearts. With- 
out any noise, or sensational devices, or spiritual 
quackery, he has known how to get at people and how 
to lead them to Him, who alone can save the sinner 
from eternal death. No small portion of the spirit that 



IV INTRODUCTION. 

was in Harlan Page, has always been possessed by my 
friend Mr. Mowry. 

Like Harlan Page he was born and reared in 
Connecticut — the State which has produced so large a 
share of our best Christian laborers. Much of his early 
life was spent in the same neighborhood with that 
eminent servant of God, the late Hon. William E. Dodge. 
On a certain occasion when Mr. Dodge was addressing 
a public meeting from my pulpit, he inquired of me " Is 
not that man yonder in the gallery Havilah Mowry? 
I knew him when I was a boy in Bozrahville, and he has 
made more than one axe for my father. I shall never 
forget him/' The great philanthropist was glad to greet 
again the friend of his boyhood and to hear about his long 
career of usefulness as a city missionary in Brooklyn. 

This volume is the plain truthful narrative of a long 
life-work in guiding souls to the Saviour. It will be 
helpful to all who labor at the best trade in the world — 
the trade of making Christians. God employs instru- 
ments in His glorious work ; He has employed and 
honored Brother Mowry as a workman that needeth not 
be ashamed. He that winneth souls is wise ; and he that 
turneth a sinner from the error of his ways doth save a 
soul from death, and hide a multitude of sins. My 
neighbor has never possessed much of this world's 
perishable goods, but he will be a rich man in heaven ; 
for they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as 
the stars for ever and ever. 

Lafayette Avenue Church, } 
^ Brooklyn, April, 1883. ) 



TO THE READER. 



AS these pages are about to enter upon their mission 
L of usefulness, it can scarcely be deemed out of 
place should the author take you into his confidence 
concerning some of the circumstances which have 
resulted in the present volume. Many times during 
these " Sixty Years in the Harvest Field," Brother Mowry 
has been urged to give for publication a few of the 
many wonderful experiences of his busy Christian life. 
Now and then in the prayer-meeting, the inquiry-room, 
or the revival service, as the missionary gave a thrilling 
reminiscence of his gospel-work, it has been caught up 
by reporters of the press and so given to the world. 

In this way, therefore, you may perhaps recognize 
among the incidents collated here, one or two familiar 
friends who come to you in a new dress — but none the 
less welcome on that account, we trust. 

We have not had the pleasure of seeing any of these 
incidents in print before, although Dr. Prime, the 
venerable editor of the Christian Observer, says that he 
has received the incident entitled, " The Price of a 
Ride/' in four of his European exchanges. 






VI TO THE READER. 

The manuscript of this volume was completed five 
years ago, but up to a very recent date it was doubtful 
whether it would be printed during Mr. Mowry's life- 
time. Indeed, he was induced to consent to its pub- 
lication now, merely from the reason that it might per- 
haps be the means of saving immortal souls, before he 
himself should be called to enter into rest. 

Therefore this little work is launched upon its career, 
claiming no merit, save that it is a truthful record of the 
facts given. 

That God will deign to use it to his own glory in the 
salvation of precious souls, is the earnest prayer of 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Biographical Sketch of Havilah Mowry, Jr n 



CHAPTER I. 

INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 

An important question 70 

The price of a ride 72 

CHAPTER II. 

ELECTION. 

One shall be taken and another left 81 

Under conviction 84 

The divinity of human nature 87 

From darkness to light 89 

CHAPTER III. 

UNIVERSALIS*!. 

Man honored more than God is feared 102 

The shepherd and the sheep 103 

A lion tamed 104 

A Universalist-s view of hell ............................. 115 






VUI CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IV. 
INFIDELITY. 

PAGE 

Fore-ordination no hindrance to free agency 123 

A little spark and a great flame 128 

Ye shall reap in due time if ye faint not 133 

The jeweller's test 142 

An infidel club, and what came of it 146 

We'll serve the devil if we have to do it alone 152 

CHAPTER V. 

ROMANISM. 

How a Romanist was reached 160 

The infinity of the Virgin Mary 162 

Transubstantiation refuted 166 

The apostle Peter's celibacy 169 

Why John came to meeting 171 

A Roman Catholic servant girl 175 

A priest's idea of soul peril 179 

Saving faith from a Romish standpoint 181 

CHAPTER VI. 

TEMPERANCE. 

A recruiting officer recruited 184 

The ruling passion strong in death 188 

Saved by grace alone 189 

Saved as by fire , 194 



CONTENTS. IX 

CHAPTER VII. 
BY THE WAYSIDE. 

PAGE 

The ungrateful beggar 218 

What is harder than the diamond 220 

Those of our religion don't commit murder 222 

For the sake of the loaves and fishes 224 

The very stones cry out against you 227 

A stately mansion 229 

CHAPTER VIII. 

AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 

Idols of the heart 242 

Chastisement God's method 244 

CHAPTER IX. 

MORAL SINNERS. 

Sailing without a compass 252 

Happy enough 254 

A Christmas present 258 

Divorcing the church 260 

A false hope 263 

Born again 265 

CHAPTER X. 

CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

The three widows .... 275 

Harvesting in plenty ,,,,,... 283 



X CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

One evening's work 289 

Fire! Fire!!.... 296 

How a dead church was made alive 298 



PART SECOND. 

MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

I. A mathematical decision 302 

II. Total depravity and fatalism 306 

III. Head and heart 307 

IV. Hypocrisy defined 309 

V. At the Lord's table 311 

VI. Whatsoever a man soweth so also shall he reap. . . . 313 

VII. God's overruling Providence 319 

VIII. The record begun 325 

IX. Resisting the Spirit 327 

X. A good investment. 329 

XI. Running on time 331 

XII. Unconscious preaching 334 

XIII. The prodigal son 337 

XIV. The sick one 339 

XV. Creditor and debtor 340 

XVI. Two conversions 345 

XVII. The best creed 350 

XVIII. A vacation incident 352 

XIX. A Romanist convinced 356 

XX. Ready at all times. 357 

XXI. Seeing and believing 359 



1 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 

OF 

HAVILAH MOWRY, Jr 



HAVILAH MOWRY, Jr., the subject of this sketch, 
was born in South Killingly, Connecticut, March 
2 2d, 1803. In 1806 his father moved with his family to 
the town of Warren, in New York, some seventy-five miles 
west of Albany. Here Mrs. Mowry died, leaving five 
children, Havilah being at this time between six and 
seven years old. In the month of March following, Mr. 
Mowry returned to Connecticut with three children older 
than Havilah, who was sent to his maternal grandparents, 
with whom it was settled he should remain until he should 
arrive at the age of sixteen. 

In April, 181 1, Havilah's father, a man of energetic 
temperament, overworked himself, and contracting a 
severe cold, was prostrated and died after only a few 
days of suffering. 

The five children were parted from each other, one 
going with this relative, another with that, and though 
all but one are alive at the present writing, they have 
never been together on a single occasion since that 
separation occurred. 

Havilah continued to remain with his grandfather, 
working faithfully about the place, until he had grown to 



12 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

be a tall, rugged youth of sixteen. He then became de- 
sirous of working for himself, and made his wishes known 
to his grandparents, who reluctantly consented that he 
might find a place. 

Accordingly he set out to do so. He did not go very 
far, for the first man he met hired him for seven months 
to work on his farm, giving a man's full wages in pay- 
ment. 

His term of service had all but expired when, one day 
as he was at work in a field, his friend and former school- 
teacher, Mr. Wood, made his appearance at the bars of 
the fence, evidently desiring an interview. 

The first question proposed to Havilah, after mutual 
greetings had been exchanged, touched the keynote of 
the boy's thoughts. It was this — 

" What are you going to do the coming winter ? " 

" I haven't any plan beyond finding a place where I can 
do enough to pay for my board, and occupy the rest of 
my time going to school," was the reply. 

" Why not teach school yourself," suggested Mr. Wood ; 
" you could then profit by studying while you taught ; 
and would certainly have more time at your command 
for your own advancement." 

" That would be first-rate ; but where could I get a 
school ? " 

" Perhaps I can help you in that ; in fact it is what I 
came to see you about. In the school district where my 
father lives in East Connecticut, exists a vacancy, and I 
presume if you were to apply for the position of teacher, 
you would be accepted," said Mr. Wood, encouragingly. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 13 

" I can at least make the trial ; and I will ! " exclaimed 
young Mowry, with animation. 

In writing of this interview and its results, Mr. Mowry 
says : " As I had been to school to him for several years, 
and knew that he was like a father to me, I readily took 
his advice and acted upon it. I made application for the 
school, was accepted, and took it for four months, re- 
ceiving six dollars a month and my board. I gave satis- 
faction to all the district as far as I know ; and certainly 
it was a good thing for me, as it made me feel I must 
stop being a boy and be a man." 

The school season being finished, Havilah went to 
visit his grandfather Dixon. He was a wise counsellor, 
and urged the boy — as he had often done before — to 
learn some trade, hinting at an immediate opening in the 
Danielsonville Cotton Factory, some three miles away. 

For the first time in his life, Havilah was impressed 
with the wisdom of the advice, and at once applied for 
the position, which was that of blacksmith's apprentice. 

Upon speaking with Mr. Reed, the agent of the factory, 
he learned that others had already been before him. 
" But," added the agent, " if they do not make their 
appearance at twelve o'clock for final settlement of terms, 
I will be ready to talk with you." 

It lacked but an hour and a half of noon, and Havilah 
determined to wait and ascertain the result. 

The moment the clock struck twelve he presented him- 
self at the agent's desk with the characteristic announce- 
ment — 

" It's twelve o'clock, sir." 



14 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

"Very good, young man; I am ready to talk with 
you," was the equally characteristic reply. 

In thirty minutes an engagement for three years was 
effected, whereby Havilah was to be fully instructed in 
the trade of blacksmithing, upon the following terms : 
For the first year he was to receive thirty dollars in 
money, half the month of July as vacation, and his 
board ; for the second year, thirty-five dollars in money, 
and the balance as before \ and for the third year, forty 
dollars in money, his board, and the July vacation. 

Just as the bargain was concluded, applicant number 
one made his appearance, accompanied by his father, 
who inquired anxiously about the position. 

" You are too late, Mr. P ," said the agent, with 

marked emphasis ; " the position is filled. You were to 
have been here at twelve o'clock ; and when I say twelve 
in making an appointment, I do not mean one or two ! " 

Throughout his life this incident left its mark upon 
Mr. Mowry's mind, and the reputation for punctuality in 
keeping appointments which characterized his after career 
was doubtless in no small measure the outgrowth of the 
lesson inculcated by the occurrence we have just related. 

On Monday, April ist, 1820, he entered upon the 
duties of his position. At the end of the first week Hav- 
ilah received two invitations from a fellow-workman ; the 
first, to attend an evening prayer-meeting, which he de- 
clined ; and the other, to go to an old saw-mill connected 
with the factory, where a " treat " of West India rum and 
water awaited him, which he accepted. 

As an indication of the growth of the temperance 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 15 

movement we may incidentally mention that, at the time 
of which we write, almost every one, church member or 
infidel, orthodox or heterodox, was in the habit of drink- 
ing liquor as a beverage. A " teetotaller " was looked 
upon as a rara avis, and ministers of the gospel and 
staid old deacons hobnobbed together, esteeming it legit- 
imate and right to do so. This country is paying dearly 
for the license of its early days, and will continue so to 
do as long as this curse is allowed to exist in her 
borders. 

As they returned from participating in the " treat " at 
the saw-mill, Havilah's fellow-workman again broached 
the prayer-meeting, urging him to go in strenuous terms. 
Again the invitation was refused, from the reason that he 
" had none but his everyday clothes with him." 

" Oh, we don't change our clothes for an evening 
meeting," was the reply, and the subject was dropped. 

When the hour for the gathering arrived, however, and 
Mowry saw one after another enter the doors — for the 
meeting was held in the next house to that in which he 
was boarding — he began to be curious as to what they 
were doing, and as he stood looking in that direction, a 
young man, whom he had met a few times, came along 
and gave him a third invitation to join the little band 
of worshippers. 

Again he declined, giving the same excuse as before. 

"What ! clothes ! why look at mine, if you think yours 
are so bad ! Come along ; come along ! " and with that 
the young man playfully took hold of Mowry, pulled him 
off the steps, at the same time calling attention to his 



16 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

own patched garments, and succeeded in bringing him 
into the first prayer-meeting which he had ever attended. 

The effect of this little meeting was to fill him with a 
spirit of unrest and uneasiness. As he afterwards expressed 
it, he " hardly knew what was the matter " with him. 

The day following, which was the Lord's Day, he went 
to visit his grandfather, remaining with him throughout 
the day and starting on his journey homeward towards 
evening. 

Arriving in sight of the village, he was joined by a 
young man who boarded in the same house, and they 
chatted together on various topics very pleasantly as they 
walked along. Presently they came to a school-house in 
which a religious meeting was being held, and young 
Mowry suggested they " stop and see what was going 
on." The other refused and passed by, leaving Havilah 
to make the investigation alone. 

He went up to the door in a half ashamed sort of way, 
and stood leaning against the doorpost, hat in hand, 
ready to leave when his curiosity was satisfied; but 
scarcely had he taken up his position, when Dr. Dow, of 
Thompson, arose, and, in a way peculiar to himself, 
asked the question, " What is the soul worth ? That you 
may know what the soul is," he continued, " I will say it 
is that part which thinks, which remembers, and which 
will live somewhere as long as God lives. Now, as this 
soul of ours — each one of us — is to be eternal, as it must 
live forever, either in endless misery or endless bliss, you 
can see it is a matter of great importance to you as to 
where you will spend that eternity." 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 17 

Mowry's hat fell to the floor. The words which were 
to work, under God, a revolution in his entire life, had 
been spoken ; and for the first time, a living soul, and an 
Eternity to be spent in Heaven or Hell, was a reality to 
him. 

He remained until the close of the service, and wended 
his way homeward filled with a new train of thought. 

From this time forward he began to do those things 
which he thought calculated to make him a Christian, and 
to stop doing what he conceived hindered his becoming 
one. At the same time, however, he became extremely 
sensitive lest any one should surmise that he had grown 
serious upon the subject of religion, and in reality 
made more effort toward concealing his real feelings in 
relation to the matter, than in striving to get light upon 
the darkness which surrounded his path. 

Thus the second week rolled around, and Saturday 
afternoon came again and with it the invitation to ad- 
journ to one of the machine shops to partake of another 
" treat," consisting, as in the former case, of some West 
India rum and sugar. Again the invitation was accepted, 
the new apprentice thinking perhaps the Company was 
in the habit of treating their help every Saturday after- 
noon. But with the acceptance came a twinge of the 
awakened conscience ! Was it right ? Could he do it 
conscientiously? If he refused, however, perhaps some 
one would suspect the truth as to his anxiety about his 
soul. 

The following day being the Lord's Day, he was filled 
with a desire to hear more about the subject of religion, 



18 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

and determined to go to South Killingly to church, argu- 
ing as it was three miles distant from Danielsonville, his 
presence at that church would not create any wonder- 
ment among his fellows, and he could thus hear more of 
the word of God without allowing any one to know the 
craving of his hungry soul. 

In furtherance of his plan, he set off bright and early 
in the cool of the beautiful Lord's Day morning, and in 
due time entered the house of God. Listening with 
marked attention both to the morning and afternoon 
services, he heard with concealed satisfaction the an- 
nouncement that a meeting for prayer and conference 
would be held at five o'clock in the afternoon, at the 
district school-house. 

Before any one else had arrived, he entered the build- 
ing, determined to secure a place where he could see and 
hear all that was done and said, but where he should be 
as little observed as possible. His first thought was to 
climb up into the open scuttle-way, leading to the roof, 
and he was only prevented from so doing by remember- 
ing that he might be locked in before being able to 
escape at the conclusion of the meeting. At length he 
seated himself at the most remote corner of the room, 
and reclined his head upon his hand in such a manner as 
to cover his face as much as possible, and at the same 
time show no disrespect to the meeting. Throughout 
the exercises his soul drank in each word of instruction 
and exhortation with avidity. Towards the close of the 
meeting, however, the leader fixed his gaze upon him, 
and said : 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 19 

" We understand you are thinking upon the subject of 
religion, and would like to know how you feel." 

It was like a thunderclap out of a clear sky ! 

He had gone three miles away from home on purpose 
to escape all discovery of his condition on the part of his 
friends and acquaintance, and behold Lis secret was laid 
bare before a whole school-house full of people. 

All eyes were turned upon him at once. He felt as 
though he should sink through the floor, but he retained 
sufficient self-possession to reply to the leader's question. 
Hanging his head and speaking in a voice scarcely au- 
dible, he said : 

"I've been thinking something about it, but I have 
nothing to say at present." 

The meeting closed without further personal refer- 
ence to him, and he started upon his three miles walk 
home. 

All the way the ruling thought was, " It served you 
right ! it served you right ! " To him it was a practical 
demonstration that he might for a time deceive his earthly 
friends, but he could not fly away from the convicting 
Spirit of Almighty God. 

The experience was an extremely salutary one. From 
that moment he resolved to throw off all disguise, and 
pursue the even tenor of his way regardless of people's 
comments or opinions. 

The week following was one of trial and testing. In 
a day or two a man came to him saying, 

" Come, my boy, it's your turn next." 



20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

11 My turn to do what ? " queried Havilah, with aston- 
ishment. 

" Why, to treat, of course ! " 

11 To treat who ? " 

" Why, don't you understand ? Didn't you go last 
Saturday to the machine-shop, and the Saturday before 
to the saw-mill ; and wasn't you treated there ? Those 
treats were both by new-comers ! Every new-comer 
pays his entrance, and every one that leaves his clear- 
ance, and it's your turn for your entrance this week." 

" Is this the custom here ? " asked young Mowry. 

" Yes, of course it is/' 

"Well, if I'd known it, I wouldn't 'a gone to either 
place, for I am decidedly opposed to spending my time 
and money that way. But as I've been drawn into this 
thing, I will treat ; but understand me, it is the first and 
the last time ! " * 

Like most persons who are brought under conviction, 
he was impressed with the idea that he must do some- 
thing to save himself. In writing of his experience to a 
friend, he says : " I thought every effort would bring 
some little light and comfort, until it might be called 
religion. But I found it more like going up a flight of 
stairs in a dark hall; apparently growing darker and 
darker as they are ascended, but, finally, when the last 
step is reached and the door is opened, leading into the 
room where all is light. As I took one step after an- 

* We may parenthetically observe here that the stand taken 
by young Mowry in relation to this custom, killed it so com- 
pletely that it was never resurrected. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 21 

other, I was tempted to give up and return, for I felt 
worse and worse ; but the possibility of obtaining rest if 
I continued in the way, and the impossibility of obtain- 
ing it if I returned, impelled me, at last, to go to Him, 
weary and tired of trying to do something to make my- 
self better." 

He describes the victory of Christ in his soul as 
follows : 

" I saw myself, as it were, on the banks of a great 
river. On the opposite side was Salvation ; but alas ! 
how to get there. I looked around for the way to cross 
the swelling tide, but nothing seemed to furnish me the 
means of transport ; I gave up in perfect despair, and 
turned to retrace my steps, when, behold ! while I had 
been gazing wistfully upon the further shore, I had 
become surrounded by an impassable stream ; the river 
encircled me upon all sides, and feeling that nothing but 
death was left, I became unconscious. When I came to 
myself, I was across the river, w r eeping for joy; my con- 
viction was gone, my anxiety was over, and my trying 
had ceased." 

Soon after the experience given in the above quotation, 
a meeting was appointed at the house of the pastor, Rev. 
Mr. Whitmore, for those who had hopefully become 
Christians, and Mowry being among the number invited, 
accepted the invitation. Upon the date set he went as 
far as the pastor's gate ; but at that moment the thought 
flashed across his mind that he could give no experience 
which would be either satisfactory or edifying, and he 
turned upon his heel and retraced his steps homeward. 



22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

He had not gone a great distance, however, when he was 
met by a young man who was on his way to the meeting. 
He knew of Mowry's previous intention to attend it, and 
questioned him as to why he was going in the opposite 
direction. 

Havilah confided to him the nature of his fear, and 
was induced to take courage and return. He did so ; 
was kindly welcomed, and, his experience being deemed 
eminently satisfactory, he was admitted to membership 
in the Congregational Church in West Killingly, Rev. 
Roswell Whitmore, pastor, on the first Sunday in Sep- 
tember, 1820. 

During the three years of his apprenticeship, Havilah 
was studious at his trade, and became particularly skillful 
in the treatment of steel. When his appointed time of 
apprenticeship expired, he was immediately retained as 
journeyman, at a salary of fifteen dollars per month and 
board, by the new foreman who took charge of the shop. 

He was so well esteemed for proficiency at his trade 
that long before " hiring time " — as the regular day for 
making yearly engagements in New England used to be 
called — his employer began to hint about what improve- 
ments and alterations they would accomplish during the 
ensuing year. 

Havilah had now been a member of the church four 
years, during which time he had been a regular attendant 
at all prayer and church meetings, although he had never 
taken an active part in them. He had become very much 
attached both to his religious and secular associations at 
Danielsonville, and it was with scanty appreciation, 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 23 

therefore, that he received at this time a letter from his 
brother, urging him, before making any further engage- 
ments there, to see David L. Dodge, of Bozrahville.* 

Havilah, who had not seen his brother for some time, 
concluded to make him a visit, and ascertain what he 
meant by urging him to see Mr. Dodge. He did so, and 
found that Mr. Dodge, who was agent for the Bozrah- 
ville Manufacturing Company, producers of cotton 
fabrics, had expressed a desire to have him take charge 
of the blacksmith shop of the factory. His brother's 
house being only seven miles from Bozrahville, Havilah 
determined to see Mr. Dodge and learn what his mind 
was. 

The interview was somewhat characteristic. 

" Well," said the agent, as they met, " I suppose you 
have come to hire out to me." 

" I don't know that I have," replied young Mowry, " I 
came to see you, and hear what offer you had to make. 
If it suits me I will consider it." 

" Oh, no ! that won't do. You will be obliged to 
decide to-day. Set your own price, and I will at once 
conclude whether I will give it or not," said Mr. Dodge. 

Havilah thought, " Well, if it remains for me to set the 
price, I will put it so high you will never pay it ; " so he 
named " Eight Connecticut shillings a day," equal to 
about one dollar thirty-four cents. 

It must be remembered that in those days very few 
men were paid above one dollar per day for any descrip- 

* Father of the late Hon. Wm. E. Dodge, of New York. 



24 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

tion of skilled labor, and therefore when Mr. Dodge at 
once accepted the terms Havilah could scarcely believe 
the evidence of his own senses. 

" Well, Mr. Dodge, I suppose you will give me a little 
time to consider it — a few days, at least ? " he asked. 

" I will give you precisely sixty minutes," was the 
reply. 

What should he do ? It seemed as though no place 
and no church would be so dear to him as his present 
home. He had passed from boyhood into manhood 
there — he had found the Lord Jesus Christ there ; his 
dearest associations were there, and he keenly realized 
the trial it would be to leave them for a new home, and 
new experiences. 

" But," said his brother, li do you forget what a splen- 
did offer has been made you ? Why, you might wait a 
long time before such a chance would be presented 
again • Accept it by all means, and don't stand in the 
way of your own good ! " 

The sixty minutes expired, and Mr. Dodge presented 
himself, saying — 

" The time is up and I am in a hurry to go. What do 
you say ? " 

" I accept, and we will call it a bargain ! " said Hav- 
ilah, quietly. 

On the first of April, 1824, he removed to Bozrahville, 
finding a home in the house of a very exemplary Chris- 
tian woman known by all the village as "Mother Jones." 

Upon reaching his boarding-place, he learned that 
there would be a meeting held in the same house that 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 25 

, evening led by Mr. Dodge, and was not a little pleased 
at commencing life in his new home so auspiciously. 

During the course of the meeting, Mr. Dodge asked 
him if he was in the habit of taking part in the exercises ; 
Havilah gave a negative reply, and no further reference 
was made to it ; but on the succeeding morning Mr. 
Dodge approached him with the following question : 

" Have you never taken an active part in religious 
meetings ? " 

" No, sir." 

" Well, my young friend, you must do so ; it will give 
you courage to fight the good fight of faith, and 
strengthen you in various ways.'' 

" But I can not do it," answered Mowry ; " I haven't 
the confidence to do it." 

" Have you never felt it a duty you owe to God ? " was 
the next query. 

" Yes, I have felt it so very often 1 " replied Mowry. 

M What ! felt it your duty to do that which you cannot 
do ! " exclaimed Mr. Dodge. 

Young Mowry saw, as he afterwards expressed it, that 
he u was in a tight place," and mentally resolved that he 
would embrace the first opportunity to right himself 
which might be presented. 

He did not have to wait long. At the next meeting 
Mr. Dodge again called upon him ; but the devil was 
victorious, and despite Mo wry 's good resolution, he 
declined taking any active part in the meetings, and 
indeed was strongly tempted to absent himself from them 
altogether. This conflict went on for some weeks, but at 
2 



26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

length he was forced to the conclusion that he must either 
take up the cross or be rejected of God. 

At the next meeting Mr. Dodge called upon him as 
usual, and without any further hesitation he arose and 
led in prayer, but was so confused and embarrassed that 
he scarcely knew what he was saying. He says of this 
incident : " I felt that I had injured the cause of religion 
and disgraced myself, and I almost wished I had never 
seen Mr. Dodge or Bozrahville. ,, But having taken the 
cross he was given grace to carry it till it ceased to be a 
burden. 

An extract from one of Mr. Mowry's letters reads : 

" Probably but for this experience I should always 
have been a drone in the church, like thousands of others, 
feeding upon her life, but adding nothing to her store. 
If I have ever accomplished anything in the cause of the 
Master, I owe it, under God, very much to the instruction 
and training of David L. Dodge, a name very dear to my 
remembrance. " 

There was at this time no regularly organized church 
in the village of Bozrahville. The religious services of 
the Lord's Day were held in two commodious rooms on 
the first floor of a large private house, which had been 
set apart for the purpose by the Company, and consisted 
of a morning and evening session ; the former being con- 
ducted by xVEr. Erastus Hyde, a Methodist minister who 
was employed as a bookkeeper at the mill, and the latter 
by Mr. Dodge himself. A Sabbath-school was also 
carried on in the afternoon, and great good was accom- 
plished by all three services. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 27 

At the close of the year, the Thames Manufacturing 
Company, from Boston, located at Norwich and bought 
the mill, together with the village of Bozrahville, and 
Mr. Dodge removed to New York. The new company, 
however, were not only able, but anxious and willing to 
continue the good work which Mr. Dodge had so well 
begun, and as the nearest organized church was some 
three miles from the village, they conceived the plan of 
fitting up the school-house for religious meetings. This 
was accordingly done, and here the inhabitants of the 
neighborhood worshipped for several years. 

In the summer of 1826, one of the company named 
Hubbard, a lawyer from Boston, being anxious for the 
good work to go on, sent a young divinity student named 
David Sanford to labor for Christ in the village. The 
result of the efforts put forth was a wonderful outpouring 
of God's grace, and the fruit of the revival which ensued 
footed up a total of seventy conversions in the village 
proper, besides as many more residing in neighboring 
places. 

The Thames Company made many marked alterations 
tending towards the welfare of the village — enlarging 
the factory and building new dwellings for its employes 
— and thus its inhabitants were largely augmented, and 
upon all sides the desire for a regularly organized church 
began to be made known. 

Accordingly, on the 10th of April, 1828, a council was 
called, and a church organized with forty-one members. 

As an indication of the work done each year, the fol- 
lowing table is not uninteresting : 



28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



Years. Additions. Years. Additions. 

2 

2 

34 

o 

o 

I 

o 



1829 15 1841. 

1830 10 1842. 

1831 15 1843. 

1832 6 1844. 

1833 o 1845. 

1834 15 1846. 

1835 3 1847. 

1836 2 1848 9 

o 

1 



1837 9 1849 

1838 o 1850 

1839 O 185I-1852-1853 2 

l8 40 , 13 1854-1855 22 

Total 161 

It must be borne in mind also, that fully as large a 
number who found peace in believing through the efforts 
put forth by this little church, united with other congre- 
gations, and located in other towns, so that it is probably 
not an overestimate to say that in twenty-seven years the 
fruit of gospel work connected with this little means of 
grace numbered nearly four hundred souls. 

This result is especially notable from the fact that 
during this entire period they never had a settled pastor, 
the pulpit being supplied in most instances by clergymen 
from neighboring towns, who would preach there on 
Sunday, but having their own flocks to feed, were unable 
to render any assistance at the weekly meetings. 

In these weekly meetings, however, the church found 
its life. Held as often as every other night during all 
this time, the fire never had a chance of growing dim ; 
and indeed, did especial interest warrant, the gatherings 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 29 

were appointed for every night, while during the whole 
of one winter, meetings were held three times a day. 

On the 20th of May, 1828, Mr. Mowry was married to 
Miss Ruhamah Sprague, of South Killingly, Connecticut, 
with whom he lived a life of unalloyed happiness for 
seven years. 

He was instrumental of her conversion about one year 
after their marriage, and they mutually enjoyed the 
blessings of an Allwise Providence until the time of her 
death, which took place on the 18th of July, 1835, at her 
sister's house in South Killingly. 

A remarkable fact occurred in connection with this 
marriage. 

Soon after their marriage, Mr. Mowry determined to 
read the Bible in course, and they began their first day's 
housekeeping with the first chapter of Genesis. Ten 
weeks prior to Mrs. Mowry's death, her father and sister, 
who had been paying her a visit, suggested that she 
should return with them, thinking that perhaps the change 
would be beneficial. After consulting with her husband, 
she consented to do so, and when the day of departure 
came, and they assembled for family worship, they had 
reached, in their Bible reading, the last chapter of Rev- 
elation, which was read upon that occasion. As she bid 
her husband good-by, something told him she would 
never cross the threshold of their home again, and she 
never did — dying, as above stated, during her visit at her 
sister's house. 

We quote the following from a letter on this subject : 

" We had been married seven years and two months, 



30 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

and not an angry or unkind word ever passed between 
us. I had often heard of * sanctified afflictions,' but I 
did not understand how it could be done. After her 
death, having no children to divert my mind, I did not 
know how to endure my affliction. One day this Scrip- 
ture came to me with particular power, ' Great peace have 
they which love thy law, and nothing shall offend them. ,, 
It ran through my mind like a weaver's shuttle, back and 
forth, day after day, until I was filled with the peace of 
God which passeth all understanding." 

On August 30th, 1836, Mr. Mowry contracted his 
second marriage, espousing Miss Esther B. Carey, of 
Scotland, Connecticut, where the ceremony was per- 
formed by the Rev. Mr. Fisher. Mr. Mowry's residence 
in Bozrahville extended over a period of thirty-one years, 
thirteen of which saw him at the forge as blacksmith 
of the mill, and the remaining time as a merchant, 
keeping the only store in a section of country five miles 
square. 

During this entire period of time he continued to be 
actively interested in the little church, which, as we have 
seen, grew in membership and spirituality from year to 
year. 

Besides conducting the weekly prayer-meetings, he 
was superintendent of the Sabbath School and leader of 
a very large Bible class. He also officiated as clerk of 
the church, though never formally elected to the office. 

In the year 1855, Dr. Bush, who was then pastor of a 
Congregational church at Greenville, Connecticut, was 
requested by the City Mission and Tract Society of 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 31 

Brooklyn, New York, to send them the name of a person 
fitted for the office of City Missionary. 

He at once sent back a letter endorsing Mr. Mowry, 
and urged his appointment in strong terms. Mr. Wal- 
lace, who was at this time Chairman of the Committee 
on City Mission work in Brooklyn, immediately wrote to 
Mr. Mowry, saying that the Committee desired an inter- 
view with him, and would be glad to pay his expenses to 
Brooklyn and return. 

The request was complied with ; the interview was 
had, and the result was an offer on the part of the 
Society for Mr. Mowry's engagement as one of the mis- 
sionaries of the City of Churches. The idea of being 
employed to work for the Lord, was very repugnant to 
him, however, and he returned home, saying that he 
could give no answer under two weeks. At the end of 
this time, he wrote to the Society declining the offer. 
Immediately an answer came back to Bozrahville wishing 
to know the reasons for his refusal, and containing 
greater inducements to come. It was finally agreed that 
he should spend six months in Brooklyn, and let the 
result of his labors govern a longer stay. 

Two children were born of the second marriage, viz., 
James T. Mowry, born July 27, 1837, and William Hav- 
ilah Mowry, born February 17, 1839, an ^ they were 
left with Mrs. Mowry at Bozrahville, while her husband 
entered upon the duties of his new position in the city of 
Brooklyn. At the end of the trial term, a new engage- 
ment for one year was made, and Mr. Mowry continued 
to labor unremittingly in the interests of the Society and 



32 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

the cause of Christ. As time flew by, the work became 
more and more dear to him, and the result proved his 
entire fitness for the position he held. Therefore, at the 
expiration of eighteen months, being convinced that it 
was the work which God had given him to do, he sent 
for his family, and became a permanent resident of the 
City of Churches. 

The breaking out of the Rebellion greatly increased 
the sphere of his labors. Beside attending to the regular 
city missionary work, Mr. Mowry spent much of his time 
among the different regiments encamped in the vicinity 
of Brooklyn awaiting transportation to the seat of war. 
Many meetings were held in camp, and by personal 
and unremitting labor with individuals much good was 
accomplished. 

This portion of our missionary's work is full of interest- 
ing anecdotes and reminiscences, and their reproduction 
here would perhaps give no small amount of instruction 
to Gospel workers, but unfortunately our space is limited, 
and we are reluctantly compelled to confine ourselves to 
generalities rather than details. 

On the 14th of April, 1864, Mr. Mowry, in company 
with the Rev. Dr. Budington, of Clinton Ave. Congre- 
gational Church, Brooklyn, left that city en route for the 
Army of the Potomac, the former to join the U. S. Chris- 
tian Commission for a period of six weeks' service. We 
give the following extracts from his daily journal written 
during that campaign : 

" Started from New York per steamer for Amboy. 
Took C. & A. R. R., and arrived in Philadelphia at 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 33 

7 p. m. Went to the store of Mr. Stewart* and obtained 
our commissions. 

" Took tea with Mr. Stewart, and at half past 9 o'clock 
started for Washington, where we arrived at 6 a. m." 

They remained in Washington one day, and the follow- 
ing afternoon the journal continues : 

u I visited Camp Cliffburn, where 500 to 1000 soldiers 
— invalids — are encamped. Had a very interesting time 
with a young lieu ten ant, who had lost forty thousand dollars 
by the war. He was a Southerner, but yet. a strong Union 
man. Circulated 100 'Messengers,' 100 'Good News/ 
and 400 pages of Tracts, In the evening went to Soldiers' 
Rest and held a meeting. Circulated 200 papers. 

ki Next morning Dr. Budington and myself started 
for Brandy Station, three miles south of Rappahannock 
River, where we arrived at 3.30 p.m. In the evening 
attended a colored people's meeting near by, held in a 
shanty whose chief characteristics were an immense old- 
fashioned fireplace, and an earth floor. Some five or six 
Delegates t were present, and all spoke at the close of 
the meeting, which was remarkable for its earnestness 
and devotion. 

c< Sabbath morning I conducted service in another 
chapel of a larger size, but without floor or fire. Five 
arose for prayers. In the evening held a second service 
there. Ten arose. About seventy-five were present, 
mostly colored and contrabands. But few of them could 
read or write, but they could sing and pray in a manner 

: - Mr. Geo. H. Stewart, Chairman of U. S Christian Com- 
mission, f Members of C. C. 



34 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

that would put to the blush those who had enjoyed 
better opportunities. 

" Monday circulated about three hundred papers and 
tracts, among teamsters and soldiers. 

" In the evening held a meeting again in the chapel 
with the blacks, one of great simplicity and earnestness. 
Five arose for prayers, an indication that the Spirit of 
God was still present and work to be done. 

" Tuesday. — Circulated one hundred and fifty papers 
in the morning among the teamsters and soldiers who 
are continually coming in. In the afternoon went to see 
Chaplain Perkins, of the ioth Massachusetts Regiment. 
Held a meeting in the chapel with some young men who 
were in a serious state of mind. One was a French 
Catholic. My interview with him was very happy in its 
results. As he expressed it, I ' straightened him right 
out.' 

"In the evening went again to the colored people. 
The meeting was unusually solemn and impressive. Near 
the close of it I requested any who were desirous of 
becoming Christians to manifest it by rising. Six arose, 
one a white man who requested an interview with me. 
He said he felt it due to me to state what his previous 
character had been, as that might stand in the way of his 
salvation. I was somewhat surprised at his confession, 
although I regarded it as evidence of his sincerity. He 
wished me to know, he said, just what he was, and added, 
' I am from the State Prison, and you may not feel like 
fiaving anything more to do with me.' I told him I had 
been too long in the habit of laboring with prisoners to 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 



35 



decline now. He seemed surprised, but glad to learn 
that I was accustomed to his class of men. He wished 
to know if I thought so great a sinner as he could be 
saved. I answered the Gospel invitation is ' Whosoever 
will, let him take of the water of life freely.' I made the 
subject as plain as I could, and urged immediate sub- 
mission to the claims of God. He seemed deeply af- 
fected, and, so far as words and manner could indicate 
it, he was led by the Spirit of God to decide for Eternity. 
It was our first and last meeting. 

<• April 20. Started for Warrenton Junction, fifteen 
miles north of Brandy Station. Arrived at n a.m. 
Had a letter of introduction to Rev. Mr. Adair from New 
York. In the evening he preached. During the service 
at ' roll call ' each soldier would leave for a moment to 
answer to his name, and having done so return again to 
participate in the season of social exhortation and prayer 
which followed the meeting proper, and in which many 
of them took part. 

" April 21. Visited the tents of quite a number of 
New York soldiers. They had seen hard service they 
said. In the evening attended prayer-meeting in the 
chapel, which was full, and the meeting interesting. 

"April 22. Went three miles west of here to a station 
on a branch road from Warrenton. Had a very peculiar 
meeting there with four young men. 

" One had been a Baptist preacher before coming to 
the army. Another had been a member of a Methodist 
church, but both had hidden their light under a bushel, 
and neither was known as a Christian. Each admitted 



30 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

feeling dissatisfied and guilty in living as they did. and 
promised solemnly to begin immediately a new course of 
life. I drew up and they signed the following document : 

" 'Resolved, That from this time we will strive to attain 
a higher state of spirituality, and to be known as Chris- 
tians, or earnest inquirers after God and duty. And that 
we will at once establish a prayer-meeting and do all in 
our power to sustain it.' It was signed amidst deep 
feeling, and we parted to meet — in all probability — no 
more on earth. 

" April 23. Went one mile west of where I went yes- 
terday. Circulated 275 papers and 100 tracts. Walked 
back four miles to the Junction. A very undesirable 
walk. Scarcely any inhabitants, and the road infested 
with robbers. 

" In the evening attended a meeting at the chapel. 
Rev. Mr. Adair preached. At the close of the sermon 
we had a prayer-meeting which was fully attended and 
very interesting. Three or four arose for prayers. 

"April 24. Went again to the Three Mile Station, as 
but little had been done for that place. On my way out, 
I fell in company with several officers and surgeons who 
had been home on furlough, and were now on their way 
back to the army, which was soon to move. 

'• Among the number, a captain and surgeon were in 
conversation together; both were in remarkable spirits 
and very profane. 

" The latter, a splendid looking, dashing fellow, had 
the appearance of belonging to a superior family, having 
been taught better than to use such language. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. O? 

" I ventured to ask him why he used such language. 
He said in reply that he did not mean anything by it, 
and that he did not even know when he did it unless 
some one — as I had done — reminded him of it. I asked 
him if he was satisfied with such an apology as that ; if 
he was, I was not. 

" ' Oh ! Fm going to stop and be good one of these 
days ! ' 

"'Will you be likely to stop doing that which you 
unco?isciously do ? ' 

" 'Well,' he said ; ' I hope I shall.' 

" I replied that what he had said showed that he was 
wrong and knew it. 

" ' Oh, yes ! I've been told that often enough. My 
father is a clergyman and my mother a Christian woman/ 

" 'Then you disobey two Fathers and one mother every 
time you use such language.' 

" It was evident that he was touched, and thanking me 
for what I had said he expressed a hope that he might 
profit by it. 

" The captain remarked that he did not know what I 
would think of him, for he had been a professor of religion 
before joining the army ; but he had to swear sometimes 
and could not get along without it. 

" 'Why,' he added ; 'put you in my place, and I be- 
lieve you would swear, too, sometimes.' 

" Oh, certainly I would, if it was right and any good 
could come of it. But can you make your men love, 
respect, and obey you any better for it ? I doubt it very 
much. I hear men use the same language to their mules 



38 BIOGRAPHICAL SKFTCH. 

every day, and in my opinion they are as much benefited 
by the application as your men are.' 

" By common consent, as it seemed, the sin of profane 
swearing was laid bare. [For the result of this incident, 
see page 61. — Ed.] 

" In the evening we held service for the last time in 
our chapel tent. It was one of the most remarkable 
meetings ever held in that tent, and one rarely excelled 
in power by any meeting to the glory of God. 

" It fell to my lot to conduct the exercises. During 
the meeting the testimony of thirty of the young Christian 
soldiers was given, some of them openly witnessing for 
Christ for the first time in their lives, and, as it proved 
for not a few, the last time also. At the conclusion of 
the service, many assured me that although they had 
experienced many interesting meetings in the tent, this 
last was the crowning season. 

" As the order had come to take down all chapel tents 
in that vicinity on Monday, box them up, and send them 
to Washington, we were ready and expected to obey ; 
but it proved to be a stormy morning, and as it would not 
answer to pack the canvas away wet, we were obliged 
to defer the work. In a few hours, however, the sun 
came out, the tents were soon dry, and were taken down 
by the young men who had attended the meeting the 
night before, many of them seeming glad of the oppor- 
tunity to do something to aid those who had been labor- 
ing so faithfully for them. 

"As the chapel tent was now down, and also our 
cooking and sleeping tent, we were without home or 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 39 

shelter. The time of the Revs. Messrs. Adair and Allen 
had almost expired, and they were going to Washington 
with the boxed-up goods, but I had yet three weeks to 
stay somewhere, and although feeling no particular anx- 
iety about it, was gratified as well as surprised to find 
how willing and even anxious those soldiers were to have 
me stay with them. I had a dozen offers of the best they 
had. But a captain from Oneida county insisted that I 
should spend the night with him, urging that he had 
ample accommodation and better quarters. I accepted 
his invitation and spent the night with him, not so much 
on account of the 'better quarters/ as for the reason that 
it would incommode him less than the soldiers, their space 
being limited. There was such a field and such a welcome, 
I decided to remain with him until the army left. 

" But it was not so to be. Tuesday, April 26, I left for 
Brandy Station to report and return. I had completed 
my arrangements and entered the cars on my way back, 
when the conductor told me I could not return on that 
train without an order from General Fitzpatrick. I im- 
mediately produced the order which had carried me on 
the road more than once, but was told that a new order 
had been issued, and that I could not be allowed to go 
on that train, unless it was specified in my pass. I went 
to the marshal, but he could not interfere with their new 
order. I felt disappointed, mainly because I was unable 
to do as I had agreed. I went to the chapel tent at 
Brandy Station, and found there a pressing invitation to 
come at once to the quarters of the chaplain of the 10th 
Massachusetts Regiment. 



£0 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

" As the other door was closed, I started across the 
lots for a mile and a half to see what was wanted. I 
soon found myself in front of the camp, and as I passed 
the corner tent, felt a sudden inclination to look in and 
see what the occupants were doing. 

" My badge indicated who I was, and they, to my sur- 
prise, requested me to ' come in.' I declined, remarking 
that I was merely passing and simply thought to glance 
in and see how they looked. 'They renewed and pressed 
the invitation so strongly, at the same time moving to 
make a place for me, that I went in. I observed that 
they had been playing cards, and were about to continue 
the game which my coming had interrupted. 

" I asked them what they would think if I were to tell 
them that I had never seen a game of cards played in 
my life and never intended to. 

" They seemed surprised and put up the cards, at the 
same time demanding my objections to card-playing. I 
replied that it had been very correctly styled the Devil's 
game ; that it was productive of no good, and much evil, 
and gave several illustrations which seemed to settle the 
question. We then naturally went from sin to the remedy 
for sin. 

" They admitted never having felt any interest in re- 
ligion, saying they must have some amusement, or time 
would hang heavy on their hands. 

" i Why not select something that will benefit, as well 
as amuse ? ' I asked. ' Here are five of you, and can 
either one say that he has ever, in any way, been bene- 
fited by card-playing or liquor drinking ? ' 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 41 

" One after another admitted that he had not. 

"'Then/ said I, ; if such be the case, you will lose 
nothing in giving them up.' 

" After illustrating the subject at some length, the con- 
versation lasting above an hour, I asked them if I had 
said one thing which they could not concientiously en- 
dorse. They replied that I had not. 

k * ' Are vou willing to take my advice and act 
upon it ? ' 

" They answered in the most solemn way that they 
were. 

" I took the pledge from my pocket and requested 
each one of them to sign it. They did so. I then pro- 
posed to have a season of prayer, urging each one to ask 
God for just what he needed. All were willing that I 
should pray with them, but said they could not do so, for 
they did not know how. When I had explained that prayer 
was simply asking God for what we felt a need of, either 
for ourselves or for others, we all knelt down together. 
I led, and was followed by one of them in a brief but 
appropriate petition. 

" They were quite as much surprised at the result as 
I was. Upon leaving, I told them I was to be present 
at the weekly prayer-meeting in the evening, and asked 
them all to come. They consented to do so. 

" I then went to the chaplain's tent and reported my- 
self, giving him an account of my first visit in the 
camp. He asked to see the names in my pledge- 
book. As he read them I saw that he was astonished, 
but not more so than I was, when he told me a moment 



42 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

later, that those men were the very ones he had sent for me 
to visit I 

" He said they were the hardest men in the regiment, 
especially the one who led in prayer, who was noted for 
his terrible profanity. 

" In the evening they were all at the meeting, and the 
one just referred to indulged hope in Christ, while an- 
other arose and requested prayers for himself. It was 
a powerful blow to those who had stood aloof from all 
means of grace. 

" The chaplain had been very much discouraged in 
consequence of this class of men, but now felt the great 
hindering cause was about to be removed. In the morn- 
ing he told me of two other tents of a like stamp which 
he wished me to visit, remarking that he could not do it 
himself. 

" ■ If they would only come to the chapel I could 
preach to them, but I cannot go to their tents and talk to 
them. The first/ he continued, ' is the color-bearer of 
the regiment. He is one of the bravest men in the 
army, and also the wickedest — he really fears nothing, 
and is as depraved as he is brave.' 

" He gave me the necessary directions where to find 
the tent, and I started out, feeling strangely confident of 
success, but unable to form any plan as to how it was to 
be brought about. 

" On my way, I heard loud talking in a tent near by, 
and stopped to see what was going on. I found six or 
seven soldiers engaged in an excited discussion regarding 
some of the moral and political questions of the day. As 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 43 

I entered, one of them stated the disputed point, and 
asked my opinion. 

" I replied that eighteen hundred years ago a very 
remarkable personage made his appearance, and laid 
down some new and rather unwelcome principles. 

"' These principles,' I continued, 'will throw light 
on the points you are considering, and I will, with your 
permission, briefly state some of them. The first prin- 
ciple is that there are but two ways through the world, 
consequently but two classes, and but two places of 
destination. The second principle is that every act of 
life serves to indicate, more or less, the way, the class, 
and the destination of him who commits it. Hence the 
great power of those words, " He that is not for me is 
against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth 
abroad." ' 

" One of the number wished to know what I meant by 
two places of destination ? I replied I meant Heaven 
and Hell, as the Bible plainly declared. 

" * Well, I believe there is a Heaven, but I don't be- 
lieve there is any Hell," he answered. 

" ' If that be so, then there is but one way, one 
class, one destination, and that contradicts the Bible/ 
I replied. 

" As he unhesitatingly admitted that his views did not 
correspond with the Bible, I asked permission to apply 
the rule I had laid down to his own case, as indicated by 
the few things he had said in my presence. He gave a 
ready consent. 

" ' What I have to say is — First , Believing in Heaven, 



44 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

you feel no interest in it, and make no effort to gain it ; 
on the contrary, you live exactly as you would do if you 
did not believe in it. Second, Rejecting, as you say you 
do, one half of the Bible, proves that you do not believe 
the other half. Third, The effect is, you are really re- 
strained by no law, either human or divine.' 

" He had promised not to be offended at what I might 
say, so I continued : 

" ' You are probably as wicked a man as there is in the 
army, and doubtless as brave an one, but having no 
moral principle to guide and restrain you, you are indulg- 
ing constantly in every sin for which you have any appe- 
tite. Mind you, I don't claim to be either a prophet or 
the son of a prophet, but this is probably a fair state- 
ment of your character and habits ; if 1 am wrong or 
mistaken, I am ready to be corrected.' 

" All had listened with marked attention, and each one 
declared that my assertions were literally correct. He, 
too, gave his assent, and said : 

" ' I am the wickedest man in the army. I know it, 
and I feel it ; but now I wish you to go to my tent and 
counteract, if you can, some of the mischief I have done. 
There are two men there who have been almost as bad 
as myself, but they have been trying to reform, and I 
have done all I could to prevent it. They have been 
hard drinkers and swearers, both of 'em, and when they 
tried to break off, I wouldn't let 'em. I believe you can 
do 'em good." 

" Upon inquiring for the tent, I found it was the very 
one I had started out to visit, and, to my surprise, learned 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 45 

that the speaker was no other than the color-bearer him- 
self — the ringleader of all wickedness. 

" On our way to the tent he told me that he had a pray- 
ing wife whom he dearly loved, and one child. She had 
borne much from him and waited patiently for a change, 
but none came. I reminded him of the keen sorrow of 
that wife, who was toiling alone to bring up his boy, 
and whom he might never again meet on earth ; for life, 
always uncertain, was especially so on the battle-field. 
He admitted all, and was convinced and convicted. He 
came almost to a full decision to yield to the claims of 
God. but, like the ruler who came to Christ at noonday, 
he suffered something to hinder. 

" The order to move on came in a few days, and he 
was in the thick of the battle, bearing the colors bravely 
as before. 

" As nearly as I could learn, he was one of the first to 
fall. The chaplain also was wounded and afterwards 
sent back home. 

" Oh, how terrible is war, and yet it is only the fruit of 
that which is still more terrible. 

"April 27. Went again to Warrenton Junction, mailed 
a letter home and took my things to Brandy Station. Met 
Rev. Theodore Cuyler on board the cars, just from home. 

" April 28. Returned to the ioth Massachusetts Regi- 
ment, and continued my visits among the soldiers. In 
the evening attended a class-meeting, in which about 
thirty took part. 

''April 29. Called to see what is known as Mr. 
Beecher's Regiment— the Phalanx. Found quite a num- 



46 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

ber who knew me, among them Postmaster Lincoln's son, 
who is adjutant of the regiment. They all made me wel- 
come, wishing me to call at any time and make myself at 
home with them. 

"Called at one of the tents belonging to the ioth 
Massachusetts and had an interesting interview with six 
young men, all smart and intelligent, but not one of them 
a Christian. They promised to attend the evening ser- 
vice. 

"April 30. Attended the ' sunrise service' prayer- 
meeting in the chapel tent. The service was exceedingly 
solemn, and quite a number took part. At its close 
the canvas covering of the tent was removed to head- 
quarters at Brandy Station. 

"Another of those young men whom I met on my 
first visit to the corner tent of the ioth Massachusetts 
came to tell me he had found Christ precious to his soul. 
At 6 p. m. held another prayer-meeting in the tent — no 
covering but the skies. Everything indicates our stay 
here will be short. 

" May 1, The Lord's Day. Met at sunrise inside the 
walls of the tent. Had a very interesting meeting. At 
its close visited the Long Island Regiment, and circu- 
lated two hundred and fifty papers. Attended a service in 
the afternoon and evening. Before going to the evening 
meeting, the surgeon requested me to call in the hospital. 
I found but few there, * and even these were to be re- 
moved next morning. Among them two attracted my 
attention. One was a man of more than average cultiva- 
tion, who was in a doubting and despairing state of mind. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 47 

He had made up his mind that it was useless to allow 
his feelings to be known, as he had come to the conclu- 
sion that he had sinned away the day of grace. He was 
so positive about this being true, that at first he declined 
conversing with me, saying it would not only be a waste 
of time but an increase of guilt and condemnation. 

" I begged him not to let the Devil cheat him out of 
the last opportunity to make his peace with God, for in 
my opinion his idea was but the device of Satan, and I 
felt sure that half an hour's conversation would convince 
him that I was correct. He finally consented to speak and 
be spoken to, and began in a short time to talk freely, 
and was soon brought to realize that the time had really 
come for him to believe and obey the truth. He was 
filled with gladness ; hope began to kindle into a flame 
in his dark mind, and he thanked me for insisting upon 
an interview with him. As we parted he shook hands 
with me, expressing more by his looks than mere words 
could have done. We shall probably never meet again, 
but I feel confident that the light of God's truth has 
shined in upon his pathway. 

" May 2. After breakfasting with the colonel and 
chaplain of the ioth Massachusetts, we rode horseback 
to Brandy Station. The regiments from Warrenton hav- 
ing left there and come into this vicinity, I spent some 
time visiting the 146th New York, with which I had 
labored while at the Junction. Saw Captain Stewart, a 
noble officer. When I left he accompanied me nearly to 
Brandy. 

" May 3. Visited the 5th Army Corps, General War- 



48 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

ren's, encamped one mile north-east of Brandy. In the 
afternoon they moved past the Station towards Cul- 
pepper, and encamped about half way there. We also 
started for Culpepper and arrived there about half past four 
o'clock in the afternoon. Went to the headquarters of 
the Christian Commission in the old Episcopal Church. 
Mr. Williams, who was to be our captain, was very glad 
to see us, as we were to be his main dependence. A few 
moments after our arrival a gentlemanly looking officer 
came in and inquired for some one of the Christian Com- 
mission to go and see a young man who had just been 
sentenced to be shot for desertion. The execution is to 
take place on the 20th of this month. Three of us started 
at once for the jail. We were told that he would not see 
us, and at first he acted as though he did not intend to, 
but in a few moments he seemed to listen and then be 
affected to tears. When we left, he expressed his grati- 
tude for our interest in his behalf. 

" We were then called to tea at the church ; after 
which we held a preaching service there for the last time. 
It was a solemn service to many of the delegates and 
soldiers, who had worshipped in the old church for quite 
a lengthy period. 

"At half-past 12 o'clock a.m. we were called up, and 
at 2 a. m. we started for the Rapidan, and moved quietly 
on until between twelve and one o'clock ; next morning 
we crossed the river at Ely's Ford, on the pontoon bridge. 
After crossing we continued our march for four hours or 
more, until we came to the Wilderness Tavern, a distance 
of twenty-five miles. Here we encamped for the night. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 49 

At daylight next morning we were called up and prepared 
to march, but did not go far. 

11 May 5. We started with the Potomac Army, and it 
was a sight to behold ! It seemed as though all the men, 
and all the mules, and all the wagons in the world were 
here. We started in a southerly course for a mile or so, 
but were then halted, as firing had commenced. In a 
few minutes a wounded cavalryman came in. No prep- 
aration had been made, for we did not know either 
when or where to make it, but now the question was 
settled, for the battle of the Wilderness had begun. 

" Soon four more wounded came in, one of them so 
badly hurt that his thigh was amputated. 

" In a short time we started in a northeast direction 
for a mile or more, and there found a suitable hospital 
field. Here we pitched our tents, and at 9 a. m. firing 
could be heard in almost every direction. 

" At eleven o'clock a general engagement commenced. 
How strange the sounds which saluted my ears for the 
first time ! 

" The ambulance train began to move, and before the 
sun went down acres were covered with tents and filled 
with the wounded. 

"At nine o'clock I laid down for the night, feeling 
weary ; but I could not rest. In thirty minutes I was 
with Mr. Williams at the fire we had kindled early in 
the day for making farina, coffee and tea. We con- 
tinued at this work most of the night, he making it and I 
carrying it from tent to tent, and from soldier to soldier. 

" May 6, Friday. At daylight the battle was renewed, 
3 



50 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

and the fighting continued until about nine o'clock, 
when it was suspended. At i p. m., however, the most 
terrible firing again raged for an hour or more. It was 
one constant roar; then, with ten thousand shouts, the 
volleys suddenly ceased, no decided results having been 
attained. In the afternoon not a cloud was to be seen, 
and the sun being very oppressive, I took a large iron 
pail, together with a basin and sponge, and went from 
tent to tent and washed the faces of at least seventy-five 
of those who were lying on the ground unable to wash 
themselves. Oh, how it made them smile ! ' How good 
it does feel ! ' they said. 

a May 7. Another eventful day. The battle com- 
menced at early dawn and raged all day. At night the 
order came to strike tents and start at once. It was no 
small job to remove four or five thousand wounded men. 
Our team of four horses was ready to start at nine o "clock, 
but our place in the train was in the rear, and we were 
obliged to wait for the sick and wounded to be removed, 
which took until twelve o'clock. 

" For three hours I stood and piloted with lantern in 
hand from the field into the road. At last our turn 
came and we started ; but where to go we did not know. 
It was a dark, though starlight night, and a dreary 
march. 

" Sunday, May 8. At 6 o'clock a. m. we arrived at 
Chancellorsville, and stopped for a short time to feed 
our horses and make a cup of coffee. 

"Again we started, the terrible devastation of war 
being visible on every hand. At twelve o'clock, it being 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 51 

intensely warm and dusty, we stopped again to feed our 
horses, and give the soldiers a rest. 

" We experienced great difficulty in finding water, but 
finally succeeded in doing so. At 4 p. m. we drove into 
a vacant lot of fifty acres or more, which in a short time 
was covered with teams. Here we found a good spring 
of clear pure water, from which our horses w r ere first 
supplied, and afterwards we made a little coffee for our- 
selves, which we drank with our lunch. This over, we 
commenced adjusting our load, which had become sadly 
deranged. While busily engaged at this work, we did 
not observe what was taking place around us, and failed 
to note that our part of the train had entirely disappeared 
— when, or where, we did not know. There was no time 
to be lost, we could not remain there ; so we started in 
line with another part of the vast throng. 

" We were soon in the woods, and they were dreary 
enough, too. Not one face about us that we had ever 
beheld before. The road, almost impassable at best, was 
rendered additionally vexatious by our suddenly coming 
to quite a stream of water. Many took off boots and 
pants and waded through, but I could not well do that, 
and hailing an officer who was passing at that moment, 
requested him to let me have one of his stirrups for a 
few minutes. He understood exactly what I wished, and, 
reining his horse up, slipped his foot out, leaving me to 
put mine in its place, which I immediately did, and, with 
the assistance of a vigorous spring, landed behind him 
on the horse's back, and both of us were soon over the 
water}- barrier. 



02 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

" We had left our captain behind, looking for our part 
of the train, and when we would meet again was a matter 
of great uncertainty ; but, as it turned out, we got along 
in the right direction, and about two hours later he over- 
took us. 

" We made our way along as best we could. Oh, such 
travelling ! I don't want to see it again. 

" It was evident from several circumstances that our 
position was growing more and more critical, as the 
enemy was not far off, and the battle — at the furthest 
but a matter of the next morning — might begin at any 
moment. 

'' It was the most peculiar night of my life. The road 
was horrible. The night, dark enough of itself, was 
made more so by our travelling through the almost im- 
penetrable forest. But to some our circumstances were 
still more sombre ; and at least one man, who, aside 
from his chronic timidity, was one of the most useful 
members of the company, started very hurriedly for his 
baggage, and was evidently, for the time, led to think of 
making his escape the best way he could. 

" A few words were sufficient, however, to convince 
him that safety could alone be secured through our re- 
maining together. 

" From many who would have suffered still more, the 
gravity of our position was purposely concealed. 

" Finally we were brought to a standstill ; we could 
not move either to advance or retreat. I went on ahead 
to learn the cause of our detention, and soon found what 
was the matter. Two wagons had met in a place where 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 53 

there was scarcely room for one to get through, and 
having locked wheels, were perfectly fast. 

" I had my lantern lit, and, by the help of the light it 
furnished, a number of men got hold of one wagon and 
lifted it, load and all, up the side of the bank, so that our 
train, which was again put in motion, got by in safety. 
We came soon after into an open field which was covered 
all over with teams, and with men lying on the ground. 

" We were directed to go to the right, and went a 
mile in that direction into the woods, where we camped 
for the night, chaining our five horses, one to each 
wheel of the wagon and one to the tailboard, that they 
might not be stolen before morning. 

" The two armies were not more than half a mile apart, 
and no one could tell what might happen before morning. 
We completed our arrangements for the night, and the 
majority having laid themselves down, I thought I would 
take a look around so that if we had a surprise we might 
know how the land laid. 

" When I came back I found all the camp asleep, and, 
as usual, some had taken more blankets than belonged 
to them. This left me without covering; so I took a seat 
on the top of the wagon, and spent the night watching 
and guarding the others. 

u In the morning we barely had time to discuss our 
scanty meal, when we were ordered to vacate the place 
as rapidly as possible, as the rebel army were marching 
toward the very spot we were occupying. 

" We loaded hurriedly and went back to the opening 
we had left the evening before. As we came out of the 



54 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

woods we could see the two lines of battle forming, and 
it was exceedingly doubtful whether we could pass before 
firing commenced. We were fortunate enough to get by, 
however, and began the erection of our tents before the 
opening shots were fired. Our location was just over the 
brow of a little hill somewhat sheltered from danger. 
The fight began and continued all day. 

"May 10. This morning the battle is raging, the re- 
sults, so far, being favorable to our side. Such fighting 
has probably been rarely witnessed. All night long the 
firing continued unabated, and the wounded came in by 
hundreds — awfully mangled, some of them — many with 
both legs off, others with both arms gone. 

"Wednesday, May n. To-day there was a lull, both 
sides being tired out. Towards night, however, the fighting 
commenced again with great energy. The most terrific 
artillery firing ever heard ; so many cannon being in use 
at the same time that the report was one continuous roar. 

" Our expectation was that we should be sent to some 
advanced post, but the fighting has been so terribly fierce 
that we are to remain. Once, during the height of the 
battle, when the artillery and the infantry were both 
brought into play, the report of the musketry, and the 
detonation of the cannon was mingled with peals of ter- 
rific thunder which shook the very heavens and earth, 
and was louder and almost as continuous as either of 
them. I never heard anything like it before, and never 
expect to again until the elements shall melt together 
with fervent heat, and this world shall pass away with a 
great noise. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 55 

" May 12. This morning the rain is falling in torrents, 
and the righting is raging with fury almost unparalleled, 
possibly the turning point of the battle. While writing, 
the rebel General Johnson— a prisoner — passed by. Oh, 
such fighting ! One incessant roar of cannon and mus- 
ketry. To-night the report is we have taken 42 cannon 
and 7000 prisoners. 

" A greater field of usefulness was never offered to any 
man than here upon the field. If every one in the work 
only knew what to do, and had the disposition to do it ! 

" A man going into battle knows that he is liable to 
be killed, and that whatever of value he has on his 
person will be lost forever. 

" Under such circumstances the desire to send some 
message — perhaps of farewell — or some token to friends 
at home is very natural. 

" Having formerly been a postmaster, I saw at once 
the desirability of organizing a post-office, and there- 
fore gave notice that I would receive all letters, etc., and 
take them to the General's headquarters. 

" When it became known that afield post-office had been 
established, where letters and valuables would be received 
and forwarded, they were brought by thousands. I soon 
found some plan must be adopted to receive and transport 
them speedily, and selected as the best means to such an 
end the idea of doing them up in bundles of fifty letters 
each, bound together with strong cord. It was not long be- 
fore I had all I could carry, and found upon actual count 
that I had received foi'ty-five hundred letters, which I took 
on my back to the General's headquarters. 



56 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

" Friday, May 13, 1864. At daylight we were notified 
to be up and off in the shortest possible time, as the situ- 
ation was in danger of being shelled. It was muddy and 
raining hard, but we set to work to obey the order, and 
all things were in readiness to start, when it was counter- 
manded and we were told to remain where we were. 

" We pitched our tents in the rain again, confidently 
expecting to occupy our position over night at least ; but 
after an interval of only an hour and a half the third 
order came, * Move at once.' 

" We started at twelve o'clock, but what travelling ! 
We were three hours in going to a point one-half mile 
distant, and in plain sight of our place of departure. It 
was fortunate for me that our progress was slow, for hav- 
ing been attacked by a severe bowel complaint, I found 
it all that I could do to keep up with the train even at 
this rate of travel, 

" The roads were in a terrible state. Mud, mud, mud, 
everywhere ! In many places up to the hubs of the 
wheels, and almost to the horses' bellies. Arrived at 
Salem Church in the afternoon, and stayed all night. 

"Sunday, May 15. At 6 p.m. arrived at Fredericks- 
burg. Here I was as nearly used up as I ever was in my 
life. I have had but little sleep, and our food — besides 
being none too good when we do get it — is very irregular. 
Working all day, and marching all night, I have gone 
about as far as I can go. Took the only bed in the 
house, too tired to eat or sleep. For the first time since 
being with the army, I wished myself home. We took out 
the load in order to go to Belle Plain for a new supply. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. Di 

"Monday, May 16. Was advised to rest, and did so 
willingly. Slept part of the day, but was still troubled 
with my sickness. Took a refreshing bath in the evening, 
after which laid down and slept all night. 

"Tuesday, May 17. At sunrise was up, feeling very 
much better. Waiting for orders to move. W 7 e rested 
most of the day, though we paid a few visits to some 
of the former slave families whose masters have left for 
parts unknown. They all seem to be for the Union and 
hope that Lee will soon be conquered and the war over. 

" Had some washing done, but it didn't look much 
better for it. Got it done over again, and still it needed 
it as much as ever. 

" Wednesday, May 18. Cool and comfortable, with 
the prospect of a fair day. Feeling very much jaded, 
visited but little in the neighborhood. Afternoon went 
to Belle Plain for stores. I was requested to drive a 
span of horses there, where a man was engaged and in 
waiting to take them back and continue in charge of 
them. 

" Thursday, May 19. Started for Fredericksburg, and 
after a hard, tedious time reached there about 3.30 p. m. 

" Had the honor of being teamster, but was glad to be 
relieved from driving over a road where the stumps in 
some places were so high that we were obliged to get 
something to raise the wheels up in order to get over the 
difficulty. At other points we were in imminent danger 
of getting mired. To add to the comfort of the trip was 
the danger of being waylaid and robbed, which was only 
prevented by our being protected by a guard. 



58 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

" Friday, May 20. Loaded up, and had the last thing 
in readiness to start. As we were about to do so the 
Rev. Mr. McCauly came up to Captain Williams and said : 

" ' You ought not take Mr. Mo wry back with you. 
His time is almost out, and it is hardly worth while to 
go back for so short a period.' 

" While we were discussing the matter a young man 
standing by said to Captain Williams, who was loath to 
part with me — 

" ' I think I can make his place good, Captain Wil- 
liams, and I should like to go with you. ' 

" Williams scanned him a moment from head to foot, 
and seeing a fine, substantial looking young man, an- 
swered : 

" ' Well, if you will go I will accept you, and release 
Mr. Mowry.' 

" I took my baggage out of the wagon, and in five 
minutes, in company with Bishop Mcllvain of Ohio, and 
Mr. Stewart of Philadelphia, was off for home. 

" Arrived at Belle Plain at 4 p. m., and taking boat, 
reached Washington at 11 p. m. Walked two miles to 
headquarters, carrying forty pounds of baggage, and at 
12 m. laid down for the night, taking the soft side of the 
floor for my bed. 

" Took the cars for New York the following evening, 
and arrived at home safe and sound, though terribly 
fatigued, on the morning of the 2 2d. 

w I have the impression that my life has been short- 
ened fully five years by my army work, but I do not regret 
it, and would not part with its experience for any price." 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 59 

Mr. Mowry remained in Brooklyn, actively engaged in 
the arduous duties of his vocation, until the early fall, when, 
yielding to repeated invitations, he again enlisted for a six 
weeks' term of service with the Christian Commission. 

He left Brooklyn on the 26th of September, 1864, ac- 
companied by the Rev. Mr. Myers, en route for the Army 
of the Potomac. 

Upon this occasion Mr. Mowry took charge of the 
Christian Commission work in the 9th Army Corps. 
There had been a serious misunderstanding between its 
officers and the medical authorities previous to Mr. Mowry's 
coming, but the establishment of a satisfactory basis be- 
tween the parties was successfully accomplished, thanks 
to Mr. Mowry's patience and sound common sense, and 
the relations between them became cordial and friendly. 
About this time large sums of money were forwarded by 
Mr. Mowry for the soldiers, and being the custodian of 
other people's property became a weighty 7 responsibility, 
and gave him more anxiety than any other part of 
his work. He writes under the date of October 6, 
1864 : 

" I soon found my complement of help, and work for 
all of us to a degree I did not dream of. For days, weeks 
even, I had not less than a thousand dollars in my pos- 
session, which I received from the soldiers to be expressed 
home for them, and for which I gave my receipt. I 
did not sleep any better for having in my charge so much 
money belonging to others." But it is somewhat remark- 
able that not one dollar that was sent was either lost or 
miscarried. 



60 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

Under the date Friday, October 14, 1864, the journal 
has the following : 

" Went to the front to see a deserter shot. I conversed 
with him for half an hour just before he was required to 
march to execution. He spoke with me freely, but 
did not want his name known, lest his relatives should 
learn his disgrace. He gave no evidence of being a 
Christian. Not less than ten thousand soldiers were 
present. They were drawn up in a hollow square. The 
prisoner was required to sit on his coffin, which was 
placed beside the open grave. Twelve soldiers were halted 
in front of him about two rods distant. Eleven of their 
guns were loaded with powder and ball, while the twelfth 
was loaded with a blank cartridge, thus leaving the 
possession of the harmless weapon a matter of doubt. 
The words ' ready — aim — fire ! ' rang out, followed by a 
single report, and the man fell over backwards on his 
coffin without a struggle. It was a very solemn and im- 
pressive scene." 

The experience of this second term of service was 
much the same as that given in the spring campaign, and 
we will not give it in detail, owing to lack of space. A 
very interesting incident, which it would scarcely do to 
omit, however, happened on the morning of Mr. Mowry's 
return home. He says : 

" The last thing I did as I was about to leave the 
army, was to water my trusty horsed I was obliged to 

* Mr. Mowry being in command of the C. C. during this cam- 
paign, was allotted a horse for his own use. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 61 

go to a spring some little distance away, and in order to 
reach it was compelled to cross the ground occupied by 
a cavalry regiment. 

" I had accomplished my mission and was returning, 
when I beheld an officer riding rapidly towards me, evi- 
dently with the design of speaking to me. As he drew 
up, he asked me if I knew him. 

" I replied, not to my knowledge, and wondered what 
business could follow so peculiar an introduction. He 
continued : 

" l Don't you remember falling in with a party of 
officers and surgeons last spring near Warrenton Junc- 
tion, and of conversing with two of them, particularly, 
upon the sin of profane swearing ? ' 

" ' Oh, yes ; now I remember the circumstance very 
well indeed ; and you are ' 

" ' Precisely ; I am the officer you met then. I saw 
you as you rode on to the spring ; recognized you at 
once, and thought perhaps you might feel interested to 
learn that I have been able since that time to make my 
men obey without swearing at them.' " 

Mr. Mowry's heart was full of praise, and he would 
have been glad to remain for a few moments' con- 
versation at least ; but the time for his departure had 
already arrived, and he was obliged to speak a hurried 
" Good-by and God bless you," and take his place in the 
train, which but a second or two later moved away from 
the scenes of martial life toward the bustling industry 
of the North. 

At the present writing Mr. Mowry has been actively 



62 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

connected with the Brooklyn City Tract Society for 
twenty-two years and seven months. During this entire 
period his labors in the cause of Christ have been patient 
and unremitting. In rain and sunshine, in season and 
out of season, he has proclaimed the glad tidings of sal- 
vation among the poor and the wretched of the city. 

A part of his duty has been to visit the prisoners con- 
fined in the Raymond Street Jail (City Prison), and from 
one to four times each week throughout these years, he 
has proclaimed the gospel from cell to cell in that 
institution, and the Judgment day of Christ will alone 
make manifest the results. 

Going about in the spirit of the Master, his work has 
been abundantly blessed, and the seeds he has sown 
have sprung up and are blooming in many instances in 
the gardens of the Eternal City, 

Countless homes have been made happy in the knowl- 
edge of the Lord ; weary hearts have found rest in 
Jesus ; and hundreds of ransomed souls are rejoicing on 
their homeward march, because of God's work through 
Havilah Mowry. 

It has been the privilege of the writer to be intimately 
connected with him, and he speaks as one who knows 
whereof he affirms, and desires to acknowledge for 
himself the great benefit and the almost priceless 
information relative to the successful personal presenta- 
tion of God's truths, which has been the result of this 
intimacy. 

The mainspring of Mr. Mowry's success in Gospel 
work is found in the fact of his untiring and unremitting 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 63 

Christian patience and long-suffering. I have known Mr. 
Mowry to follow one man for nine years, during which 
time he has again and again raised him from the gutter, 
and helped him to a fresh start and opportunity to redeem 
the time. 

" Ye shall reap in due time if ye faint not," is a favorite 
quotation of his, and it has brought comfort to many a 
Christian worker. 

In Paul's epistle to the Corinthians (i Cor. xii.) we are 
told " There are diversities of operations ; for to one is 
given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the 
word of knowledge by the same Spirit, to another faith," 
etc., etc. The record of Mr. Mowiy's life-work leaves 
but small room to doubt that the gift of the Spirit to him 
has been the word of knowledge, which is explained in the 
i st chapter, 5th verse, as "That in everything ye are 
enriched by him in all utterance and in all knowledge." 
In an especial and manifestly providential manner, Mr. 
Mown* has always been gifted with the right word at the 
right time— he has been "enriched in all utterance;" 
he has never been left to his own strength in the critical 
moment of personal Gospel presentation, but the word of 
knowledge has been supplied as the need arose. 

The incidents which are given in this volume from his 
experience in Gospel work form but a very small part of 
his labors, and indeed many books of like size would be 
necessary to the narration of the innumerable interesting 
and graphic incidents which make up the sum total of 
his life as a Christian worker. 

As the days pass swiftly on, many blessed assurances 



64 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 

are being received as to the results of efforts made in 
years gone by. Frequent letters from long-forgotten ones 
bring to him the sweet information of souls redeemed 
and clothed anew by the power of the lowly Nazarene. 

Oh, the blessedness of the Christian's hope ! The 
encouragement to run well the race ! How sweet to look 
back on the record of such a life as that of Havilah 
Mowry's and know that in the treasure-house of God the 
crown is waiting to complete the Master's work. How t 
sweet to dwell upon that wondrous day when Jesus shall 
utter those precious words, " Well done, good and faith- 
ful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." 



CHAPTER I. 

INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 



1 1 know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot, 11 — Rev. iii. 15. 



MEN become so absorbed in the affairs of this 
world that oftentimes neither time nor inclination 
remains for the investigation of religious truth. 

It is not the purpose of this work to analyze the cause 
in every case, but rather to deal with the state resulting 
therefrom. Therefore, in asserting that indifferent sin- 
ners form a large part of the enemies of the Lord Jesus 
(for Christ says "All who are not for me are against 
me "), we do not propose to inquire into the reasons 
leading up to the fact, but simply to dwell upon the best 
way of bringing people out of their torpid state, of awak- 
ening them from their lethargy, and pointing them to 
Him who came to call, not the righteous, but sinners to 
repentance. 

Indifference is a sin which often leaves its victims in 
entire ignorance of their own state. Their religious sensi- 
bilities, or to speak more truthfully, their sensibility to 
religion, becomes so thoroughly dead that they do not 
even know their hearts are mausoleums filled with impres- 
sions which were strangled or choked to death before 
attaining the strength of conviction. 



66 INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 

But this is not always the case. Many times men are 
fully alive to the fact of their indifference to the cause of 
Christ. They are not in doubt upon the subject. They 
say in answer to the efforts of the Gospel worker, " My 
dear sir, you will excuse me, but I am altogether uncon- 
cerned as to my spiritual state ; in fact, I am utterly 
indifferent as to my soul's salvation, and have no disposi- 
tion to enter into any investigation of the subject." 

It will be readily seen that the method of presenting 
the truth ought not to be the same in both cases. A 
physician is called in to attend two patients, one suffering 
from neuralgia, the other from influenza ; they are both 
sick, but he does not prescribe the same remedy in each 
case, though in each instance he gives medicine. So with 
the two kinds of indifference, which may be classified as 
conscious and unconscious indifference ; they are essen- 
tially the same sin, but they require different methods of 
treatment in order to produce the same effect. 

In the one man, the first step necessary to conversion 
is to make him cognizant of the fact that he is indiffer- 
ent ; in the other, who already knows this fact, the first 
step is to awaken an interest sufficiently powerful to 
break through the indifference. 

Two men are about to build houses upon adjoining 
lots. One man finds a rock formation near the surface 
which must first be removed before he can lay the foun- 
dation ; while the other, who meets with no such diffi- 
culty, simply puts the spade into the earth and digs down 
to the required depth. 

Now, suppose the latter should look up from his exca- 



INDIFFERENT SINNERS. G7 

vation at the neighbor who was driving the drill into the 
rock, preparing for the blast, and cry out, " Why, what 
under the sun have you been doing all this time ? why 
don't you dig like I do ? Here I am down four or five 
feet already, and you are still busy on the surface ; put 
in your spade, man, put in, your spade ! " There would 
be just about as much sense in the man undertaking to 
follow the advice and shovel his rock out as there would 
be in trying to remove the rock of unconscious indifference 
with the same treatment that would be proper where the 
person was knowingly indifferent. 

Neither is it possible to give any precise rule which 
shall infallibly work the same blessed results spiritually. 
The temperament, the natural disposition, the circum- 
stances surrounding the case, must all be taken into 
careful consideration. 

The Christian worker must make a diagnosis of the 
patient, so to speak, and prescribe in the faith of God's 
guidance. 

No skillful physician ever attempts to prescribe for a 
bodily sickness until he has made a careful examination 
of the symptoms displayed ; and if such care be neces- 
sary in a disease of the body, how much more watchful 
and guarded should be the investigation of him who is 
desirous of being instrumental in the healing of the soul. 

Especially is this necessary with those possessing a 
limited experience in the Gospel field. Workers who, 
like Mr. Mowry, have been for years engaged in the per- 
sonal presentation of God's truth, are often enabled, 
through a few leading questions, to arrive at the exact 



68 INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 

state of their listener's spiritual standing, and know as 
thoroughly, in the course of a few moments' conversation 
the requirements of the case, the objections to be met, 
and the hindrances to be removed, as though they had 
been intimate during a lifetime. 

But this insight into the workings of human character 
is to be attained only by a large experience in this direc- 
tion, and we cannot, therefore, urge too strongly the 
necessity for care on the part of the Christian worker 
that he or she may labor in the power of the Spirit. As 
an illustration of the evil effects which often follow ai? 
unwise remark at the critical period of the soul's awaken- 
ing, we recall the case of a young man who had become 
anxious, serious, and thoroughly desirous of the sal- 
vation of his own soul. He had requested the prayers 
of the church in his behalf at one of the evening meet- 
ings during a revival season, and had remained for 
religious conversation at the conclusion of the meeting 
proper. As he was seated in deep thought, a lady 
worker whose zeal in Christ's cause far outstripped 
her knowledge, approached him and entered into con- 
versation. 

" Dear brother, are you a Christian ? " she said. 

" I should like to be one," was the reply. 

" Would you like it well enough to tell Christ so ? " 

" Yes, I have tried to tell Him already." 

" Well, then, my dear brother, all you have got to do 
is to believe you are a Christian, and you are one." 

The young man made no reply ; such reasoning was 
evidently beyond his comprehension. 



INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 69 

The lady, working her enthusiasm up to the point of 
explosion at the thought of the young man's conversion, 
asked in a perfect tremor of suppressed excitement : 

" Are you not willing to accept Christ for your Saviour 
now ? " 

" I believe I am," was the answer. 

" Oh, glory to Jesus ! " shouted the lady, so that she 
could be heard by all in the room ; " here is another dear 
soul born into the kingdom ! " 

When the young man left the meeting that night he 
did so for the last time. The premature announcement 
of what might have been the truth had the worker waited 
God's time, so filled him with indignation — knowing as 
he did in his own heart that he had not passed from 
death unto life — that he fell back into a position of per- 
fect apathy, and lost all desire to arrive at the truth as it 
is in Christ Jesus. 

It is therefore vitally important when we seek to work 
for God, that we work with Him as well. 

In the subjoined incident the power of the Holy Spirit 
in conviction and conversion is wonderfully displayed, 
and forms a striking illustration of the effect of a single 
passage of Scripture upon the stony heart of uncon- 
scious indifference when illumed by the rays of Divine 
Light. 



70 INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. 

" Are you a Christian ? " asked Mr. Mowry of a lady 
with whom he was brought in contact during one of his 
missionary visits. 

" I suppose I am fully as good as many who call them- 
selves such," was the reply. 

" That may be, at the same time it does not answer 
my question. I do not ask you whether you are as good 
as Judas or Simon Megus ; I ask if you are a Chris- 
tian ? " 

Annoyed at Mowry's persistence, the lady at length 
admitted that she did not know whether she was or not. 

" Is it a matter of so little import that you can 
afford to trifle with it." What prevents you being a 
Christian ; I suppose you are willing ? " 

" Yes," was the reply, " I am willing, but I have yet 
to learn that willingness will make me a Christian. I 
cannot make myself a Christian, and I have done all 
that I can in that direction." 

" Indeed ! " exclaimed Mowry. " If that be true no 
blame can be attached to you, and there being but two 
parties to the transaction, yourself and Almighty God, 
if you have done all that you can and are not to blame, 
why He must be ! " 

She was not prepared to take this position, and 
evidently felt it a greater responsibility than she dared 
assume. She dropped her eyes, seemingly wrapped in 
thought, and Mr. Mowry continued : 

" Do you believe the Bible ? " 



INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 71 

"Yes." 

" Well, if you will turn to the 17th chapter of Jeremiah, 
9th verse, you will read ' For the heart is deceitful above 
all things and desperately wicked.' Do you acknowledge 
this as the truth when applied to yourself? " 

11 No, I do not ; for I know better ! " was the instan- 
taneous response while the eye flashed defiance. 

*• My dear sister," cried the missionary, " now it is 
plain why you are not a Christian. God's word says 
your heart is desperately wicked and you do not believe 
God's word ! He says it is deceitful above all things, you 
say He is mistaken. You cannot be a Christian till you 
accept God's word as truth f" 

u Do you mean to tell me," she cried, " that you 
believe I am as bad as that would make me." 

" Yes, I do believe it ; I believe it because I have God's 
word for it, and I take his statement in preference to 
your denial ! " 

"Why," she cried, "if I was as bad as you want to 
make out I could not live ! " 

" Yes, my dear madam, that is just what ails you, you 
are trying to live when you are dead — dead in trespasses 
and sin." 

Like an arrow the shaft of conviction pierced her soul. 
Her eyes were opened, and she saw herself in the sight 
of God a miserable sinner. She fell upon her knees and 
implored the Almighty to have mercy upon her. Again 
and again the cry of her awakened conscience was, God 
be merciful unto me a sinner. She begged Mr. Mowry 
to pray for her, and so great was her alarm and anxiety 



72 INDIFFERENT SINNERS, 

for the safety of her soul, that she did not cease besieging 
the throne of grace until the answer came. Arising from 
her knees, a look of peace overspreading her counten- 
ance, she exclaimed : " 'Tis all plain now ! thank God I 
am saved, saved, saved J " 

Where but a few hours before not even the conscious- 
ness of indifference existed in her heart, all was calm 
and peaceful in the evidence that her sins, which were 
many, were all forgiven and that she was indeed a 
Christian. 



THE PRICE OF A RIDK 

The following incident presents the other side of the 
sin of indifference, showing how the Holy Spirit used a 
seemingly trivial incident to the salvation of an immortal 
soul. 

There is also in the fact we are about to relate, a very 
plain lesson for all who aspire to present the blessed 
truths of salvation to perishing sinners. Our Saviour 
says "Ye shall reap in due time, if ye faint not ; " but 
how often the Christian worker grows weary and dis- 
couraged because the result of his earnest labor is with- 
held for a season. 

Hold on to God's promises ! believe that whatsoever ye 
ask in faith the same is granted unto you ! Then rest, 
leaving God to choose the time as seemeth best in His 
sight. 

The road was deep with mud, and the darkness of a 
raw and inclement evening in the fall of the year had 



INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 73 

settled down upon it, as Mr. Mowry started from his 
home in the village of Bozrahville, to attend a prayer- 
meeting in Norwich, eight miles distant. It was growing 
late, and he was making as good speed as the state of 
the roads would permit, when he overtook a man travelling 
on foot in the same direction as himself. Being in haste, 
he omitted asking him to ride, and was not a little sur- 
prised, when, upon turning around to ascertain the cause 
of sounding footsteps, some minutes later, he beheld 
the same man clinging to the rear of his wagon. 

The horse was at once pulled to a standstill, and the 
stranger invited to take a seat by his side, which he 
gladly accepted. After riding some distance in silence, 
Mr. Mowry proposed they relieve the tediousness of the 
journey by conversation, and asked if his passenger had 
any choice as to the subject to be discussed. He 
answered he had no particular preference, and Mr. 
Mowry accordingly inquired what he thought about 
religion. 

"I don't think about it at all; and for that matter I 
care as little as I think, " was the heedless reply. 

" Well, I suppose you have known some very good 
people who did think a great deal about it ? " queried 
Mown-, feeling his way carefully into the drift of the 
stranger's ideas. 

" Yes, that's so ; my mother is everlastingly talking 
and thinking and reading something about religion ! " 

u What has been the effect of this course of life on 
your mother — good or bad ? " 

"Oh," was the unhesitating reply, "she is as good a 



74 INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 

woman as ever breathed the breath of life, if I do say- 
it ! " 

iC If it has worked so well in her case, I see no reason 
why it should not do as much for you, and we will spend 
the remainder of our time while together, in finding out, 
if we can, why you have never felt any interest in the 
religion which has done so much for your mother ! " 

Thus opened a discussion which grew in interest and 
solemnity until they reached the journey's end. As the 
young man sprang out of the wagon he asked : 

" What's to pay ? " 

" Nothing.'' 

" But the ride has been a favor, and I insist upon pay- 
ing for it," 

Mr. Mowry again refused to accept any remuneration, 
but the stranger only insisted with greater vehemence 
that he should name a price for the ride. 

" If I should you would not pay it," said Mowry with 
apparent hesitation. 

" Why not ? Try me and see ! " 

" Will you promise not to beat me down ? " 

" I will pay what you ask, certainly." 

"Then, since you insist upon paying for your ride, 
and have given me your word you will not ask me to take 
less than my price, I will name it. It is that you should 
accept the advice I have given you during our journey, 
and act upon it ! " 

They separated, neither knowing the other's name, nor 
having seen each other's features in the darkness with 
sufficient distinctness to be able to recognize each other 



INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 75 

in daylight. For two years Mr. Mowry heard nothing of 
his passenger, and the incident almost escaped his memory. 
At the end of that time a stranger came to BozrahvilJe 
and hired out as a machinist. Mr. Mowry, who at this 
time was keeping the store at the village, noticed the 
man, observed his habits, but had no opportunity to 
speak with him upon the subject of religion. At length 
a revival broke out in the village, and one of the concerts 
approached the stranger on the subject. The man 
declared that he had thought very little about religion, 
until one night, about two years before, he got a ride to 
Norwich with a gentleman who conversed with him on 
the subject in a way he had never forgotten. 

This fact coming to Mowry's ear, he recognized in the 
stranger his companion of the ride, and determined to 
visit him and demand the payment of the price agreed 
upon. He did so, and the following conversation en- 
sued : 

" I believe I have a small account against you, Mr. 
, and I have called for settlement." 

"Account ! I guess not ; I have always paid cash for 
everything I got at your store, and am positive I don't 
owe you a cent." 

" Do you remember riding one stormy night with a 
stranger as far as Norwich about two years ago ? " 

" Yes, I do. Are you the man ? " he exclaimed. 

" I am, and I am here to collect, if possible, the price 
of that ride," answered Mowry. 

He acknowledged the obligation, but was not ready to 
discharge it according to the agreement \ and though Mr. 



76 INDIFFERENT SINNERS. 

Mowry repeatedly visited him, and urged the claims of 
Christ, he passed through the revival unconverted, and 
finally left Bozrahville to seek employment elsewhere. 

Again nothing was heard of him for two years ; but 
the seed sown had sprouted and was working its way 
slowly towards the surface. One day the mail brought 
Mr. Mowry the following letter : 

" My Dear Sir :— 

" That old account of four years standing is now, by 
the grace of God, settled in the manner you requested, 
and this is to ask of you a receipt in full. That evening's 
ride and conversation have followed me in remembrance 
ever since, and to them, under God, I owe the conver- 
sion of my soul. 

Yours respectfully, 






Thus, in God's time, the sinner who began by acknowl- 
edging his indifference to Christ, was brought to the 
Saviour. He was a consistent Christian up to the time 
of his death, some fifteen years afterward. 



CHAPTER II. 
ELECTION ; OR, GOD'S CHOICE. 



1 1 know whom I have chosen.'* — John xiii. 18. 



" ^\7"E have not chosen me," said the Saviour to his 
A disciples, " but I have chosen you, and ordained 
you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that 
your fruit should remain." 

Christian workers often say, in their anxiety to help a 
soul into the kingdom, that which is not in accordance 
with Christ's teachings. 

For instance, how common it is to hear in the inquiry- 
room the assurance, " You may leave this room a Chris- 
tian if you want to / " or, how frequently the leader of a 
prayer-meeting will say, in giving the invitation to sinners 
to come to Christ, " You may have salvation now if you 
will." Neither of these statements are true as they 
stand, and, with kindred assertions, they have done more 
harm — none the less fatal that they were unintention- 
ally so — than any mistake ever made from a good mo- 
tive. 

A few words will serve to make the truth of this matter 
plain. 

If sinners could be born into the kingdom of God 
through the simple exercise of their own choice, Hell 



78 election ; or, god's choice. 

would never receive another accession to the number 
of its sin-tormented souls. Indeed, we might then em- 
brace Universalism without fear, for surely in the death 
moment, if at no earlier period, the soul would make its 
choice to dwell in Heaven. 

But it is Bible doctrine that we are saved by faith in 
the Lord Jesus Christ, and by faith alone ! The only 
question left to decide then, is, Whence is this faith ? Is 
it controlled by us, or is the exercise of it in any way 
discretionary with us ? The Bible says^ No. It teaches 
that faith is the gift of God. 

Paul says to the Ephesians (chap, ii, v. 8), " For by 
grace are ye saved through faith ■ and that not of your- 
selves : it is the gift of God." 

Now, the thing given is never controlled by us in any 
sense until it has passed into our possession, It first 
becomes a gift when we have received it at the hands of 
the giver. Therefore faith, being the gift of God, be- 
comes such only when it has been bestowed upon us ; or, 
in other words, faith is not a gift until it has been given 
and received. 

It must therefore be plain that the following deduc- 
tions are inevitable : 

First. We can have no control of faith — in the sense 
of grasping it or appropriating its efficacious properties — 
until God sees fit to give it us. 

Second. The giving, or the withholding, being entirely 
at the discretion of Almighty God (who of his own will 
and pleasure moldeth one vessel to honor and another to 
dishonor), it is therefore in no sense true that we can at 



ELECTION I OR, GODS CHOICE. 79 

our own option will ourselves either into conviction or 
regeneration. 

Third. It therefore follows as a natural sequence, that 
whosoever passeth from death to life, does so because 
of the election or choice of Almighty God, who alone 
gives the power so to do ! 

" Ah," you are perhaps exclaiming, " does not this 
make salvation a matter of Divine Sovereignty in toto, 
leaving man, as a free moral agent, no part to play ? " 

Not at all ; the doctrine of election, on the contrary, 
recognizes to the full man's part in the divine scheme of 
salvation. Let us again take the declaration of the 
Bible, " Faith is the gift of God." Now a gift, in order 
to become such, ?nust be received. If I offer you a thou- 
sand dollars, it is optional with you to refuse or accept it. 

If you refuse it, it is but a proffer on my part ; if you 
accept it and receive it at my /lands, then it becomes a gift 
and only then. Until you have done your part in receiv- 
ing it, the transaction is incomplete, and the offer to give, 
has not passed into a thing given. 

Therefore the free moral agency of man plays a very 
important, though secondary part, in God's plan of 
redemption, and the Almighty very properly holds men 
responsible for their souls' eternal well-being, having first 
provided the way of attaining Eternal Life. 

I should not dare to say to any human soul, " You 
may be saved now if you are but willing," for it would 
not be the truth as God has revealed it in his Word, but I 
would say unhesitatingly to any anxious seeker, " If you 
are being drawn to Christ by the power of God, and are 



80 ELECTION I OR, GOD'S CHOICE. 

willing and do now accept the Saviour as yours, through 
the mercy of God, you are treading upon holy ground, 
and have passed from death unto Life." Would my 
assertion be true and in accordance with the Bible ? Yes. 
It says, " He that hath the Son hath Eternal life." Now 
if God, by the Holy Spirit, should offer his Son to you as 
a free gift, and you should accept him as such, the trans- 
action being complete, Christ would become yours by 
the reception of the gift, and you would therefore, at the 
moment of your acceptance of him, pass from death 
unto life. 

Mr. Mowry had been presenting the subject in a some- 
what similar train of thought to a lady who had strongly 
combatted it, and was finally met with the declara- 
tion : 

" Well, I suppose I do not understand it as you do, 
but I believe nevertheless in 'free agency.' " 

" If you will but act upon your belief I shall have less 
fault to find with you," replied Mowry. 

" But I have no disposition to act upon it." 

" Oh, you will have, by and by, won't you ? You are 
growing better as you grow older, are you not ? " 

" No ; I am not growing better, by any means." 

" You expect to, however, some time in the future ? " 

" I do not know that I do." 

" Then what better are you for being a free agent if yon 
never exert the power you claim to possess ? " 

" Perhaps I am no better for it." 

" Now, suppose at this point God should influence you 
to do what you ought to have done, but did not — and 



ONE SHALL BE TAKEN AND ANOTHER LEFT. 81 

what is more, never expect to do — would you find fault 
if it was accomplished through the grace of election ? " 

"No, I do not think I should," was the reply given 
more thoughtfully. 

" Well, that is about what is meant by the doctrine of 
election, and I commend it to your prayerful considera- 
tion ! " 

They parted to meet again after the lapse of a quarter 
of a century, and almost the first words spoken by the 
lady, conveyed the information that she had found the 
truth of the old conversation through a blessed experi- 
ence at the hands of Almighty God, who had given her 
the desire for salvation, and had granted its fulfillment. 

An incident which forcibly illustrates the exercise of 
God's elective power, is found in the sketch that follows : 



ONE SHALL BE TAKEN AND ANOTHER LEFT. 

One evening Mr. Mowry called upon a family largely 
composed of females who were employed as weavers in 
a cotton factory. As he entered the room one of them 
hurriedly arose and precipitately darted by him and up 
the stairs. Evidently she well knew his object in coming, 
and the mission being unwelcome to her, she chose to ab- 
sent herself. The missionary had determined to make the 
visit one of personal conversation with each one present, 
but altered his plan, fearing that others might follow the 
example already set, and thus frustrate his labor. 



82 



ELECTION; OR, GOD'S CHOICE. 



Taking therefore the loom as an illustration, he began 
to explain and expound the scriptures, using the web as 
typtical of the length of life ; the shuttle, darting to and 
fro, as the days and weeks and months ; the "cuts" as 
years, and the end of the web as the terminus of life. 

All listened with wrapt attention, and before the 
remarks were hardly begun, the young lady who had 
absented herself so unceremoniously, slowly descended 
the stairs, and, seated upon the bottom step, was an un- 
observed auditor of all that was said. Her action, how- 
ever, was not the result of any desire to be benefited, but 
simply the gratification of common curiosity, and when 
the interview was over she retired from her position 
without any one knowing that she had been there. 

The following morning she tripped to her work in the 
factory as gaily as usual. No thought of aught Mr. 
Mowry had said the evening previous had claimed a 
moment of her time or attention since ; it had apparent- 
ly — to use a suggestive phrase — passed in at one ear and 
out by the other. At length she reached the factory 
noisy with its thousands of spindles, and was soon pre- 
pared for her work before the loom. She adjusted the 
belt on the pulley, and the loom started, but with the 
first movement of the shuttle the thought, with the 
velocity of an electric flash, rushed through her, 

" You are weaving out your own life ; the end of the 
web is coming, and after that — what ? " 

So powerful was the impression that with one impet- 
uous movement she threw the belt off and stopped the 
loom. 



ONE SHALL BE TAKEN AND ANOTHER LEFT. 83 

Then the thought presented itself, " What ! will you 
allow yourself to be influenced by such nonsense ! " 

Again the belt was adjusted and the loom started, and 
the shuttle flew in and out the web. " You are weaving 
out your own life ! Beware of the end of the web ! " 
cried the voice of the inward monitor. 

What could it be ! Surely some spell had seized upon 
her ; never in all her life had she known such twinges of 
conscience ; apparently her emotions were becoming 
stronger than her will ; but should it be so ? No, she 
would not be moved by mere phantasy ! Her life had 
thus far proved happy enough, and she had no desire for 
any change. All her experiences were pleasant ; nothing 
had arisen to dampen the ardor of youth or blight her 
prospects in any way, and she was content as she was ; 
and would live on in the same contented vein ! 

Again the loom resumed its steady motion, and once 
more the shuttle glided upon its gospel mission. Yes, 
for the third time came the message, "You are weaving 
out your own life — but a few more ' cuts ' and the end is 
at hand!" Pale as death itself she stopped the 
machinery for the last time, and fled from the spot. 

Conviction settled deep upon her soul. She stood 
before Almighty God and in her own sight, a miser- 
able, unredeemed sinner. Oh mercy, mercy, mercy, was 
her cry! She was no longer unrelenting; she felt so 
keenly her position in the sight of God, that every thought 
save to find acceptance with the Father forsook her. 
And He who has said " They that seek me shall find 
me," "Knock and it shall be opened unto you," was 



84 election; or, god's choice. 

true to His promise, and this poor soul was peaceful in a 
sense — a realizing sense — of sin forgiven. 

The other young ladies who made no objection to the 
missionary's visit were not called at this time. 



UNDER CONVICTION. 

The doctrine of election sets forth God's work in con- 
viction, as well as in regeneration, and holds that no 
soul of its own freewill ever sought forgiveness of its sins 
at the hands of Almighty God. u They shall be led in a 
way they know not of," says the Word. Armenianism 
on the contrary translates this truth to mean " They shall 
lead themselves in a way they know not of." 

Christ spoke of the blind leading the blind, and the 
illustration certainly would not be misapplied to a soul 
dead in trespasses and sins, guiding itself in a way it 
never knew! The subjoined incident treats of the 
drawings of the Father. 

Several visits had been paid to a man whose reputa- 
tion as an infidel was well established and upon whom 
the efforts of gospel workers had no effect. Finally he 
removed from the neighborhood, and for two years Mr. 
Mowry lost sight of him. 

One day, however, he noticed a new sign bearing the 
a man's name upon a shop lately opened, and accordingly 
went into the store to enquire if it belonged to his former 
acquaintance. 

It did indeed ; and he proved not only glad to see the 
missionary, but was desirous of making it apparent. 



UNDER CONVICTION. 85 

" Do you know," he began, " this is the first time since 
our acquaintance that I have ever been really pleased to 
see you ? " 

" Indeed ! And why are you glad to see me now ? " 

" Well, I will tell you. I am perfectly wretched, and 
think perhaps you may help me. My trouble is a mystery 
to me ; I do not know how to explain it. I have no 
peace either by day or night, either at home or abroad. 
I have kind friends by the score, and yet I feel friend- 
less. I have property, probably all I shall need to render 
me comfortable until the day of my death, and yet I feel 
distressedly poor. What to do I can not tell ; one thing, 
however, is certain ; I can't stand this state of torment 
much longer." 

" How long have you been feeling this way ? " 

" It began about last spring, and has been increasing 
ever since." 

" What has been the drift of your thoughts, generally 
speaking ? " 

"Bible truths; a future state; and kindred sub- 
jects, such as we used to discuss in our old inter- 
views." 

" Do you love to think about them ? " 

"No, I do not." 

" Why, then, do you do it ? " 

"Well, I think perhaps it is because I am afraid that 
what I have disbelieved so many years is true after all. 
And then again I seem to dwell upon this subject because 
I can't help myself in the matter. I must think whether 
I will or no." 



86 ELECTION ; OR, GOD'S CHOICE. 

11 Have your thoughts led you to pray to God ? " 
" Yes ; I have prayed more during the four weeks just 
passed than in all my life before, and yet the more I pray 
the worse I feel ! " 

" You have then been using prayer as a sort of remedy 
for your feelings, much the same as a person afflicted 
with cramps in the stomach would take hot-drops or some 
counter-irritant ; they take the medicine not because they 
like it, but for what they expect it to do for them. Now, 
God don't hear such prayers as that, and you may just 
as well stop that method of seeking relief first as last. 
You must not think I am underrating the efficacy of 
prayer to cure your malady ; but it must be prayer of a 
different nature — spiritual prayer ! To be effectual it 
must be in faith — not necessarily a great faith. Christ 
says, faith small as a grain of mustard seed is avail- 
ing. Now how is this true ? Asking for what you want 
will never give you peace. It is the answer to your 
prayers which brings the boon of rest ; now, where does 
this faith come in of which we have been talking ? Just 
at the time of asking — to believe that God grants the peti- 
tion, and grants it immediately, although He may choose 
His own time and way of fulfilling it, and of making the 
answer apparent. God has been calling you. Christ 
said : ' No man cometh unto me except the Father, who 
sent me, draw him ; ' now, these heartaches, this restless- 
ness, this torment, this thinking perforce about heavenly 
things, are the drawings of the Father, and if you will 
but wait patiently God's answer to a fervent prayer, you 
may receive peace and joy in believing/' 



THE DIVINITY OF HUMAN NATURE. 8? 

" I have myself thought, perhaps the aching void I 
have felt was to make me realize the necessity of some- 
thing better than the things of this world. I have tried 
to be satisfied without Christ, and without salvation. I 
did not expect, or wish, or believe, that I should ever 
feel as I do now, but I begin to be glad that I have been 
led to see my condition, for now there seems the possi- 
bility of light ahead ! " 

And there was light ahead ! He pressed on in a dif- 
ferent spirit. Praying no longer in the tone which had 
characterized his former petitions, he asked for mercy, 
crying, " Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief." And 
the answer was not long delayed. He entered the king- 
dom rejoicing, and has been and is not only a useful but 
eminently pious member of the community. 



THE DIVINITY OF HUMAN NATURE. 

The opponents of the doctrine of election do not 
recognize the total depravity of human nature. In one 
form and another they assert that there remains in the 
soul, however small it may be, some trace of the divine 
origin of man. 

The following incident bears upon this theory. 

Passing along the streets of Brooklyn one pleasant 
day, Mr. Mowry noticed two gentlemen apparently en- 
gaged in earnest conversation. Upon closer inspection, 



88 election ; or, god's choice. 

he discovered that one was a clergyman of his acquaint- 
ance, who immediately extended his hand in cordial 
greeting, and drawing Mowry forward, gave him an 
introduction to the gentleman with whom he had been 
conversing, saying : 

" Now, Mr. , won't you repeat to Mr. Mowry the 

remark you have just made to me ! " 

" Certainly, why not? " was the reply ; " I said," turn- 
ing toward Mowry, " that I believed human nature to be 
of God, and therefore divine ; consequently that I did not 
believe any man to be so false to the divine principle in 
him, as to advocate and defend that which he did not be- 
lieve in relation to religious truth. Of course a man 
might advocate error through ignorance — any one is liable 
to be mistaken both in fact and judgment — but I submit 
that the divine principle of God in man, will not admit of 
his knowingly advocating error ! " 

" Do you regard that argument as conclusive, sir ? " 
inquired Mowry. 

" Yes, sir ; I hold it to be unanswerably so." 

" Well, sir, you have already admitted that all of us are 
liable to be mistaken, both as to facts and judgment, 
and you may perhaps be so in this case, despite your 
confidence. In reply to your assertion, I will ask you 
two questions, which will probably settle the matter to 
our mutual satisfaction, First. Did you ever know a 
man to do Wrong knowingly — to commit a dishonest act 
knowing it to be such ? " 

" Why, certainly, that's a matter of every day experi- 
ence," 



FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. 89 

" Well, Secondly, Which indicates the greatest falsity 
to the divine principle of God in man, to do wrong know- 
ingly, or to advocate wrong knowingly ? " 

He was completely silenced ; and it is to be hoped 
departed on his way a wiser as w r ell as a better man. 



FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. 



" No man can come to me except the Father, which hath sent me, draw 
him."— John vi. 44. 



An incident beautifully illustrating the above passage 
of Scripture occurred in the case of a relative of Mr. 
Mowry's, living in Connecticut. 

She was a young lady of strong mental attainments 
and affectionate temperament. For some time, being 
morally convinced of the reality of religion, she had been 
anxiously trying to work herself into acceptance with 
God, but with no result beyond the desire already 
noted. She thought, as many others have done in a 
similar frame of mind, if she could but witness a season 
of revival of God's saving grace, she would be carried 
along on the flood-tide of acceptance and joy, and pass 
into the haven of Rest. 

The revival came, and all around her, friends and 
acquaintances were convicted of sin, and righteousness, 
and judgment to come, while she remained obdurate and 
passive. 



90 ELECTION ; OR, GOD'S CHOICE. 

Then the thought occurred to her, " If my two cousins 
could be converted, and faithfully labor with me, I should 
certainly be able to yield myself to Jesus. " 

In God's Providence the conversion of her cousins 
was soon an accomplished fact, and both found joy in 
believing, and became — one more especially — instru- 
mental of great good in the hands of the Lord. But 
apparently the more earnestly they pleaded with her, the 
harder grew her heart ; and she began to be discouraged 
and disheartened at the small prospect of reconciliation 
with God. 

Finally, the Devil suggested to her mind, " If you could 
but witness some terrible dealing of Almighty God in 
your very presence, similar to the striking down of 
Ananias and Sapphira, it would be such a powerful 
warning, you would surely be able to succumb." 

One day, when she was left alone in the house during 
the temporary absence of her family, a stranger pre- 
sented himself at the door and asked for a cup of cold 
water. 

She invited him to enter while she procured a glass. 
He did so, and she drew the water and gave it to him. 
He drank it, turned deadly pale, and with no word of warn- 
ing, no parting message, sank into a chair, and before 
she could summon help, expired in dreadful agony before 
her eyes. Her wish was granted. She was alone with a 
terrible visitation of Almighty God's destroying power. 

But, as in each former instance, the very foundation- 
stones of her father's house were no less unmoved than 
was her obdurate enmity to God. 



FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT. 91 

First she had sought the help of a revival of religion 
to convert her soul ; next, she had invoked the aid of her 
intimate friends and relatives ; and lastly, she had en- 
listed even the Destroying Angel in the work, but all to 
no purpose. God alone can convict and regenerate the 
soul j but she did not ask His help and therefore did 
not receive it. 

She believed now that nothing could subdue her impen- 
itency, and gave up all hope of obtaining salvation. 

But, having stripped her of all hope in the means of 
safety which she herself had planned, God deigned to 
point her to the Blessed Redeemer, whose precious blood 
alone is an acceptable sin-offering in the sight of heaven. 

She was providentially led to visit Mr. Mowry's house 
in the midst of a season of revival, and though at first 
unwilling, was subsequently induced to attend a meeting 
held upon the evening of her arrival. Upon returning it 
was observed she did not enter the family-room with the 
rest ; nothing was thought of this however, until some 
little time after, when Mr. Mowry had occasion to enter 
the front room, which he supposed was empty, and found 
his guest on her knees in prayer to God. She was too 
deeply absorbed to notice the intrusion, and he retired 
unobserved. Subsequently his wife entered the room 
only to find her still kneeling, unconscious of everything 
but the contending emotions of her own soul. Not 
long afterward, in a state of excitement, full of remorse 
and alarm, she entered of her own accord, the room 
where the family were sitting. 

It was an instance of fearful conviction ; the con- 



92 ELECTION ; OR, GOD'S CHOICE. 

science, long slighted and trampled upon, was revenging 
itself unsparingly upon the defenceless sinner. 

Her moans and cries for mercy were truly piteous ; but 
at length the voice of Jesus, full of tenderness and com- 
passion, whispered to her soul words of peace, forgive- 
ness and love ; melting the last vestige of insubordina- 
tion forever. 

She at once entered upon the obligations of an active 
Christian life, " redeeming the time," and giving God the 
glory, and became a light set upon a hill, reflecting on 
every side the rays of His goodness toward the children 
of men. 

How many, like this lady, have sought help from every 
source but the right one ? How many have been striving 
to pattern after the experience of friends or pastor, wish- 
ing to be as they, instead of seeking to be like Christ ? 
Solemnly come the words of the law, " Thou shalt have 
none other gods before me ; " and again, " It is not by 
power, nor by might; but by my Spirit, saith the Lord." 



CHAPTER III. 

UNIVERSALISM 



" Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after 
the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. ,, — 
Col. ii. 8. 



A COUNTERFEIT coin, so finely executed that but 
one point of difference exists between it and the 
genuine, is a very dangerous and treacherous production. 
The more closely it resembles the true piece, the greater 
its chance of deceiving innocent persons who handle 
and pass it with no suspicion of its spurious character. 
Let us suppose, if you will, a poor woman whose entire 
possession is a bright new silver dollar. She needs a 
few articles of food to sustain life, and expends the coin 
in providing for her necessities. Having purchased the 
articles, she satisfies her hunger and carefully puts the 
remainder away. Hardly has she completed her meal, 
when a knock is given at the door, and the tradesman 
enters, saying : " Madam, here is the coin you gave me, 
it is a very clever counterfeit and you must give me a 
good one in its place." "But," exclaims the poor woman 
in great trepidation, "I have not another cent in the 
world, it was all I had." " I am very sorry for you, 
madam, but I cannot help that ; you have received goods 



94 UNIVERSALISM. 

at my hands for which I must have an equivalent, and 
you must give me good money or you will be obliged to 
suffer the consequences." What a strait that poor woman 
would be in. " If some one had only warned me before- 
hand/' she thinks as she weeps bitterly, " I should never 
have attempted to pass that coin, for I would not have 
taken* it myself! But I have been basely deceived. The 
person who gave it me, knew that I was poor, knew 
that it was all I had to deperid on ! Alas ! What shall 
I do ! " 

Reader, there is no counterfeit in the world so danger- 
ous as the theory of Universalism. There are many 
living to-day, who have received its doctrines as the 
genuine teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ; but ah! 
when payment is demanded of them at the day of settle- 
ment, they will cry, like the poor woman, " I have been 
basely deceived, what shall I do ? " 

Predicating their doctrine on the Bible, they weave a 
fictitious character around the Almighty; destroy the 
office-work of the Son of God, and make the Atonement 
a matter of convenience rather than of necessity in the 
work of salvation. 

Ostensibly teaching holy living, Universalism tends to 
produce the exact opposite in practice. If all men are 
to attain the same eternal abiding place, what an 
inducement is held out for the gratification of every 
fleshly lust 1 

" It is a very comfortable belief/' said one notorious 
wordling who was advocating its tenets. Yes, he was 
right, as far as its bestowing the widest margin to sin is 



UNIVERSALISM. 95 

concerned, for while pretending to uphold the nobility 
and sanctity of God's work in regeneration, in reality it 
nullifies it. Instead of making the consequences of sin 
to the sinner as terrible as God has portrayed them, 
Universalism takes the opposite course, and tells men 
" you may disregard God's laws, but you will be saved 
through his mercy and love." The leading Universalist 
divine of this country once told his congregation, " My 
hearers, the mystery of the Atonement is such that were 
a murderer to die with his hand dripping with his 
brother's blood he would go to heaven there to dwell 
forever with the Lord Jesus Christ ! " 

Now such a doctrine as this may be a very "com- 
fortable " belief for the murderer, but would it prove 
equally comforting to his victim ? 

Does such an outrageous misrepresentation of God's 
truth uphold the purity of the Divine character ? 

What becomes of justice as an element of character in 
the Godhead ? 

Can purity exist where justice is entirely disregarded ? 

Is mercy possible save as justice plays the midwife 
and brings it into existence ? 

We leave these questions to the consideration of those 
persons who have blindly followed the teachings of this 
false denomination, trusting the Almighty to convict 
such of the error of their conception regarding the charac- 
ter and the divine attributes of Jehovah. 

We have said that Universalism was a clever counter- 
feit, differing in one essential point only from ortho- 
doxy. 



96 UNIVERSALISM. 

The subjoined Articles of Belief, adopted by the 
General Convention of Universalists in the United 
States, in the year 1803, have never been altered, so far 
as we know, being perfectly satisfactory to the denom- 
ination. They read as follows : 

" Art. I. — We believe that the Holy Scriptures of the 
Old and New Testaments contain a revelation of the char- 
acter of God, and of the duty, interest, and final destina- 
tion of mankind. 

"Art. II.' — We believe that there is one God whose 
nature is love; revealed in one Lord Jesus Christ, by 
one Holy Spirit of grace; who will finally restore the 
whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness. 

"Art. III. — We believe that holiness and true happi- 
ness are inseparably connected ; and that believers ought 
to be careful to maintain order and practice good works ; 
for these things are good and profitable unto men." 

Without entering into a critical and exhaustive ex- 
amination of these three pillars in the Universalist's 
confession of faith, we propose to glance for a moment 
or more, at a few points of interest. 

The first Article might be incorporated intact in the 
creed of every evangelical church, being a simple declara- 
tion of belief that the Scriptures are from and of God, 
" profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for 
instruction in righteousness.' ' 

That the Scriptures also reveal the truth respecting the 
final destination of man cannot be gain-sayed, in confirma- 
tion whereof it is but necessary to quote the sixteenth 



UNIVERSALIS!!. 97 

verse of the final chapter of Mark's gospel ; where Christ 
himself says : " He that believeth and is baptized shall be 
saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." 

There is perhaps no passage in the New Testament 
which more concisely sets forth the intents and purposes 
of God relative to the final disposition of the creatures 
He has made. It is conclusive, comprehensive, and 
forms an indisputable statement from the very lips of the 
Divine One, as to His immutable purposes in the reward 
of the righteous, and the punishment of the wicked. 

We, of the othodoxy, also cry Amen to Article II, up 
to the commencement of the last clause of said Article ! 
This clause tell us that God "will finally restore the 
whole family of mankind to holiness and happiness." 

There never was a theory more at variance with the 
revealed word of God, 

False in doctrine, it is also false in principle and 
effect, — a curse to the unwary and a snare to the 
ignorant ! 

Seen in the light of Universalism, the passage we have 
quoted above would be interpreted thus': "He that 
believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that 
believeth not shall be saved likewise ! " 

"Ah, yes,' 7 cries the Universalis!, "that is all very 
fine, but we do not claim the wicked go unpunished for 
their sins, we only say the punishment will not be 
eternal ! " 

"We" claim, "we" think; it is "our" opinion; "we" 
believe ! say the Universalists. Exactly, but of what use 
are your claims, thoughts, opinions or beliefs ! The wel- 
5 



98 UNIVERSALISM. 

fare of the world does not depend upon them. Mankind 
needs God's claims, thoughts, opinions, and ideas upon 
this subject. 

What though you claim universal salvation. God says 
of unsaved souls, " And these shall go away into ever- 
lasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal." 

" But," say the Universalists, " everlasting punishment 
does not mean eternal punishment. The word is used 
in the sense of everlasting as applied to God's created 
works, such as the 'everlasting hills,' for instance. Now 
you will not pretend to say that the hills are to be eternal, 
when the Bible expressly declares they are to be destroyed 
by fire?" 

We can better refute this idea by giving an interview 
on this subject between Mr. Mowry and a prominent 
Universalist minister of the City of Brooklyn. 

The missionary, who was personally unacquainted with 
the divine, called upon him at his residence, and upon 
being ushered into his presence, said : 

" I desire, sir, to see and converse with some one who 
is familiar with the New Testament in the original 
tongue, and for that purpose have called upon you." 

" Though I claim no particular proficiency in the 
Greek tongue, still my knowledge is doubtless sufficient 
to answer whatever question you may ask concerning it," 
was the reply. 

"Well, sir, the point I desire to submit to you is this. 
In the forty-sixth verse of the twenty-fifth chapter of 
Matthew's gospel, occur these words, " And these shall 
go away into everlating punishment; but the righteous 



UNIVERSALISM. 99 

into life eternal. " Now I desire to know what the dif- 
ference is in the original tongue between the words here 
translated as "everlasting " and "eternal " ? 

" There is no difference, sir/' exclaimed the minister, 
referring to his Greek Testament. You can plainly see, 
the characters forming the two words are exactly the 
same, — in fact, the words are entirely identical." 

" If that be so, and, as you say, the fact is plain even 
to one not versed in the original, will you tell me why 
the translators made any difference in them. Why were 
they not rendered alike in the English version ? " 

" I do not know, unless it might have been to avoid 
tautology." 

" You admit, then, that there was no special design 
governing the translators ? -' 

" Why certainly, there could have been none ; it would 
have been too palpable ! " 

"Then allow me to say, if the words had happened 
to be reversed in the translation, and everlasting had 
been put where eternal is, and vice versa, it would have 
meant, according to your Universalist theory, that hell 
was to be eternal, forever, and heaven everlasting, or for 
a limited period ! " 

The minister, completely taken off his guard, was un- 
able to answer for a few moments, but in some degree 
recovering himself, he said, with ill-disguised annoyance 
at the turn the conversation had taken : 

" If you will go over to Dr. , of New York, I think 

he will be able to straighten that point for you." 

" I shall do nothing of the sort," said Mr. Mowry \ 



100 UNIVERSALISM. 

" he would be obliged to admit just what you have — for 
it is the truth — and when he admitted it, he would have 
overturned the whole theory of Universalism as you have 
done ! " and bidding the discomforted pastor good-day 
he took his leave. 

A short glance at the third Article of Faith, and we 
shall pass on to a few incidents practically illustrating 
some of the workings of Universalism. 

As in both the other Articles, there is a proportion of 
truth large enough to give coloring to the claim that their 
belief is founded on the Word of God. 

They say holiness and happiness are inseparable. No 
truth was ever more purely stated, and no orthodox be- 
liever will hesitate to accept it as such, but then follows 
the moral theory of their belief, viz , that men ought to 
do what is right, because it is good and profitable for 
them to do so. 

Now, such teaching is just as contrary to God's word 
as it could well be. No man ever has or ever will — ac- 
cording to the revealed word — attain heaven on any such 
basis. Works never brought a soul into God's favor, 
under any other condition than as the offspring of faith. 

Universalism teaches, be correct and moral, do good 
works because it is profitable for you to do so. 

The Bible teaches, be correct and moral, do good 
works because faith in Christ has given you the desire to 
do that which is pleasing to him, with no thought of self. 

The two classes are portrayed by Christ himself — the 
one saying, " Lord, when saw we thee a-hungered or 
athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and 



UNIVERSALISM. 101 

did not minister unto thee ; " and the other crying, ki Lord, 
when saw we thee a-hungered, and fed thee, or thirsty, 
and gave thee drink, etc.'' 

The first class being wrapt up in themselves, working 
for themselves, practising good works because it is "good 
and profitable " for men to do so, never see Christ in 
their fellow creatures. While the other class, being 
filled with the Spirit of Jesus, who " went .about doing 
good," not from personal considerations, but that God 
might be glorified, shall find in the day when He comes 
with His angels in glory that " inasmuch as ye have done 
it unto one of the least of these my brethren ye have 
done it unto me." 

But what could be more appropriate than this third 
Article of the Universalist creed to characterize the doc- 
trine of which it is part and parcel ? 

Why,, indeed, should men live for any higher motive 
than self-interest presents, if there is to be no discrimina- 
tion between the righteous and wicked in the world to 
come ? 

It is not to be expected of a system which robs God of 
the attribute of justice, that it should incorporate even the 
remotest suggestion of it either in theory or practice, and 
w r e leave the reader to pursue the subject in the light of 
the subjoined illustrations. 



102 UNIVERSALIS*!. 



UNIVERSALISTIC FUNG^E.— I. 

MAN HONORED MORE THAN GOD IS 
FEARED. 

" But I don't believe in future punishment ! " 
" I presume from the evidence of your daily walk and 
conversation that you speak the truth ! Non-belief in 
God's word has about the same effect upon you as upon 
others, I presume, and if you please I will apply a test 
or two to prove my assertion ! " 
The man reluctantly consented. 
" Why do you make use of profane language ? " 
" I suppose you will say it is because of my belief or 
that it is a habit. My belief certainly can have no con- 
nection with it ; and to prove that it has not grown to be 
a habit, I need only say that I have never used a profane 
word in the presence of my mother in my life ! " 

" I am glad you have acknowledged it is not a habit, 
for you have not even that mean excuse to urge in pallia- 
tion. The truth is, you love and respect your mother 
more than you do God. You would not insult her by 
uttering a profane word in her hearing, while not a day 
goes over your head but you blaspheme the name of your 
Maker countless times in the presence of Almighty God ! 
You would not wound the ear of your earthly parent, but 
what matters it that you stab the heart of a heavenly 
Father ! Yes, young man, the Bible says truthfully, ' By 
their fruits ye shall know them ; ' and a doctrine which 
seeks to rob God of the attribute of justice, may well 



THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP. 103 

produce the result you have conceded ! Surely a God 
who could have so little regard for his own honor as 
to comprehend in his scheme of salvation those who 
openly disregard his commands and wilfully blaspheme 
his name is worthy of no respect, and you are conscien- 
tiously living up to the doctrine you profess." 



UNIVERSALISTIC FUNGJE.— II. 
THE SHEPHERD AND THE SHEEP. 

A young lady who was residing in another part of the 
country, came to Bozrahville upon a visit. She was gifted 
with capabilities of no mean order, and was not only a 
spirited conversationalist, but likewise a tolerably sound 
reasoner. 

She professed to believe in Universalism, and was not 
backward, whenever occasion offered, to sustain by argu- 
ment the views she advocated. 

Mr. Mowry was brought in contact with her, and held 
several interviews upon the subject, seemingly to little 
purpose. 

At length the day of her departure for home arrived, 
and the missionary resolved to make one more effort. 
He felt that the Holy Spirit alone could accomplish the 
desired effect, and therefore he invoked Divine aid in 
speaking through him. 

The meeting which took place was a hurried one, 
giving no time for the elaboration of any argument, and 
it almost looked as though she was not to be touched ; 



104 UNIVERSALISM. 

but as she turned to go towards the stage-coach which 
was waiting, she said : 

"I can only say, our entire conversation has not 
produced the slightest change in my opinion ! Why, I 
have no more doubt about Christ getting all His sheep 
into His fold, than of my own existence or of the sun's 
rising to-morrow ! " 

" Very true, Mary ; I have as little doubt on that point 
as you have. All the sheep will undoubtedly be gathered 
into the sheepfold, but, Mary, how about the goats ? " 

She looked him squarely in the face for a moment, 
and turning, without a word of reply, ran like a deer 
from the spot. The arrow had struck home. 



A LION TAMED. 

During Mr. Mowry's connection with the Factory at 
Bozrahville, a stranger made his appearance in the 
village, and upon application was engaged by the com- 
pany as a wood-worker, and was requested to sign the 
rules which every employe was obliged to endorse by a 
written signification of compliance. One of these rules 
related to total abstinence. 

The stranger was not a temperance man at heart or in 
practice, but he desired work, and therefore signed the 
articles binding himself to adhere to the pledge he was 
forced to take. 

The first day's restraint found vent at the noon 



A LION TAMED. 105 

intermission, when, gathering a crowd around him, he de- 
nounced in terms of bitter sarcasm the company's method 
of governing its employe's. " 'Tis the old blue law times 
revived," he cried. 

It was not in Mowry's nature to witness the enemy 
sowing tares in a field already dear to him, without striv- 
ing in some way to nullify the action. Accordingly he 
asked the man how he proposed to remedy the matter. 

" Why," was the reply, " I propose to apply Universal- 
ism." 

Before Mowry could speak again the factory bell was 
rung, and all were obliged to return to their respective 
posts. 

They soon met again, however, and the stranger was 
asked if, in his opinion, Universalism was taught in the 
Bible. 

" Of course it is ; where else do you suppose it came 
from ? " 

" I have my opinion in regard to its origin, but will 
you select the chapter which you conceive teaches it 
plainer than any other the Bible contains and we will 
examine it together, agreeing to go no further than we 
harmonize as to its meaning?" 

"Yes, I am agreeable, and if you never believed it 
before, perhaps you may after we get through with that 
chapter." 

"We shall see," replied Mowry, tersely. 

The meeting was appointed and had. The chapter 
was selected, and proved to be the second of Paul's 
first epistle to Timothy. 



106 UNIVERSALISM. 

" Now I should just like you to take the fourth verse 
of that chapter, and if that don't teach Universalism, then 

I'm no judge, that's all ! " cried A , in a manner 

which bespoke an easy victory. 

"The fourth verse," replied Mowry, "reads, 'Who will 
have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowl- 
edge of the truth.' I should like to ask you a question 
or two before we go any further. Who wrote this 
Epistle ? " 

" Why Paul, of course ; every one knows that." 

" Well, to whom did he write it, to a man who honored 
God and kept his commandments through faith in Christ, 
or to an unbelieving sinner ? " 

" Timothy was a Christian, to be sure ; but what of 
that?" 

" Everything ! I may promise to give my neighbor 
ten thousand dollars if I choose; but that promise does 
not benefit you, nor are you included in it. It is made 
to him, and you would not dream of usurping it. If then 
you would not dare to do it in a mere affair of personal 
right, involving a temporal matter, why should you 
attempt to appropriate a divine privilege where the gift 
is Eternal Life ? " 

That's all very well, but God says in that verse, he will 
have all men to be saved ; now, don't you believe he's * 
able to perform what he promises ? " 

" Decidedly I believe it ! But He has not left an un- 
conditional promise in the whole Bible. He does will all 
persons to be saved, and if they comply with his condi- 
tions they will be saved, but only when they have fulfilled 



A LION TAMED. 107 

their part of the contract. If you look in the eighth 
verse you will see that ' He will therefore that men pray 
everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and 
doubting/ Now, why don't you say because God wills 
it that every man in the world ought to pray everywhere, 
and as such is not the fact, God's ability to accomplish 
what he wills is not to be believed in ? " 

"Oh, that's a different thing altogether. Of course 
nobody expects sinners who don't believe in God to go 
about praying and exhorting! That would be ridicu- 
lously inconsistent ! " 

" Would it indeed ! But it would not be at all incon- 
sistent in God to give these very sinners the salvation 
they did not want, would not believe in, and spurned 
with contempt ! Such a course, I suppose you imagine, 
would be perfectly in harmony with divine wisdom ! " 

A seemed for a moment completely overcome, 

and before he had the chance to reply, Mo wry con- 
tinued : 

"Besides you forget that God, who promises salva- 
tion, — and whose ability to keep his word you claim to be 
so trustful in, — this same God also promises eternal pun- 
ishment and damnation to those who neglect his salva- 
tion." 

" Well, I'll admit that the doctrine of Universalism is 
not proved as fully in this chapter and verse as I had 
supposed, but then, it is in the Bible, and I know it." 

" Mr. A , I have heard men of your stamp talk 

just that way before. You say you know it is in the 
Bible, but the truth is you know it is not in the Bible ; 






108 UNIVERSALISM. 

neither can you produce the first verse or passage sub- 
stantiating the assertion you have made." 

No further selection was suggested, and the interview 
terminated. They continued, however, to discuss the 
subject from day to day as they met, and finally agreed to 
have a formal investigation, in which each should be at 
liberty to say whatever he honestly thought in connec- 
tion with any form the discussion might take. 

The first topic selected was prayer. 

" Now I believe in prayer myself, and pray as much 
and as often as you or any one else," said A . 

" If desire is prayer, whether addressed to God or some 
one else, your assertion may possibly be true ; but that you 
are in the habit of praying to Almighty God, I do not 
believe, and what is more, I doubt whether you ever 
uttered such a prayer in your life," replied Mo wry. 

" If you think I am a liar," retorted the other fiercely, 
" what's the use of our talking ? " 

" Didn't wg agree to express our honest opinion upon 
anything that should be said ? " 

" Yes, we did ; but that's no excuse for giving me 
the lie." 

" I have simply done as we agreed beforehand. I have 
merely given my opinion of what you affirmed. I hope 
I am mistaken ; but you know whether I am or not." 

Mr. Mowry had providentially " hit the nail upon the 

head," as the saying is, and when they parted, A 

went directly to a spot where he could be undisturbed, 
and resolved to make at least one prayer, in order if the 
matter came up again he might call God to witness the 



A LION TAMED. 109 

truth of his statement. Accordingly, he knelt down, but 
having neither the spirit nor the form of prayer, he did 
not know what to say or do. His conscience smote him 
so powerfully he did not dare blaspheme further the 
name of God, and he arose as little able to combat 
Mowry's assertion as before. 

For a few days he kept out of the latter's way • but 
happening to meet unexpectedly, Mo wry gave the enter- 
ing wedge a still harder blow. 

" A , do you honestly believe that you love God ? " 

" Yes, I do ; and that, too, as well as you, or any one 
else." 

" Well, my opinion is that you are as destitute of love 
to God as are the very devils in hell. I don't say you 
are as bad as they ; though for aught I know, you may 
be even worse." 

The eyes of the other fairly flashed, and he absolutely 
gnashed his teeth with rage. For a moment the evident 
feeling was to fly at Mowry and tear him in pieces ; but, 
measuring with his eye the stalwart proportions of his 
opponent, and knowing something of his gigantic strength 
from seeing it exerted in their daily work, he turned upon 
his heel, filling the air with foul-mouthed curses and im- 
precations upon the object of his ire. 

For a moment Mowry questioned the wisdom of his 
course, but remembering that he had spoken the truth, 
and that in God's service, he left it to the care of the 
Master. 

A entered his boarding-house openly denouncing 

Mowry and threatening vengeance, but, wisely deeming 



110 UNIVERSALISM. 

cretion the better part of valor, he never ventured where 
they were likely to meet for a long time. 

In the interval a revival had begun, and the seed 
which had been sown was being harvested in the ripe 
grain. 

A , tormented by conscience and forsaken by Uni- 

versalism, found no peace by night or day. He felt a 
longing for rest, and yet would not seek the Source of rest. 
The evening meetings were held in the school-house, and 
one night Mr. Mowry went there early for the purpose of 
lighting the lamps and seeing all things in readiness for 
the service. 

At the rear end of the room stood two old-fashioned 
high desks, running the entire width of the apartment, 
and behind them the settees which the scholars used 
for seats. 

These settees were never occupied on Sunday even- 
ings, because the desks in front prevented a view of 
the speaker at the other end of the room. But this 
evening, as Mr. Mowry lit the lights, he noticed four 
fingers of a man's hand just visible over the top of 
one of the desks, as though the owner were reclining 
at full length upon the settee behind it and prevent- 
ing himself from falling by holding on to the desk. 
Without appearing to do so, Mowry carefully scruti- 
nized the hand — or as much as could be seen of it 
— and came to the conclusion from the peculiar square- 
ness of the fingers, that the man was none other than his 

opponent A — , and he resolved to go out until the time 

of meeting came, as though nothing had happened. 



A LION TAMED. Ill 

The bell was rung as usual, the room began to fill up, 
and finally, when all were seated, Mr. Mowry took his 
accustomed place and opened the meeting by invoking 
God's blessing upon all which might be said and done, 
earnestly beseeching a special manifestation of God's 
grace in behalf of any poor convicted sinner who might 
be seeking the road to Zion. 

No other person present knew of the listener on the 
rear seat ; but Mr. Mowry, in choosing the subject for 
dissertation, did so especially with reference to him, and 
kept firing hot shot one after another over the listeners' 
heads into the soul of the intruder. The terrible punish- 
ment of the unrepentant sinner in the world to come was 
fully dwelt upon, and equally full was the description of 
God's mercy and love as shown in the declaration, " There 
is more joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, 
than over ninety and nine just persons who need no re- 
pentance." 

The meeting at length came to a close. The congre- 
gation dispersed as usual, and Mowry, extinguishing the 
lights, went out and locked the school-house door after 
him. 

When all was quiet, and the sound of the last retreating 
footstep had faded away, the moonbeams peeping in at 
the windows saw a man slowly raise himself up from his 
recumbent position on the low bench back of the high 
desk, and stretch himself painfully, as though stiff from 
long confinement in one posture. It was some little time 
before the strained muscles adjusted themselves suffi- 
ciently to permit comparative freedom of action \ and 



112 UNIVERSALISM. 

then the man cautiously moved toward one of the win- 
dows on the shadow side of the house, raised the 
sash, climbed over the sill and dropped to the ground. 
True enough, it was the former advocate of Universal- 
ism, A . 

On the following day Mr. Mowry paid him a visit and 
inquired if he was still holding the opinions he had 
previously expressed. 

A acknowledged that his views had not only 

altered in a marked degree, but that he was also seriously 
awakened as to the worth of his soul. 

" Would you attend an inquiry-meeting if one were to 
be held this evening ? " 

" Yes ; and glad to at that." 
" You shall have the opportunity." 
The meeting was held and A was present. Per- 
haps in all Mr. Mowry's experience, no clearer case of 
conviction of sin had been openly manifested. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, A went away 

filled with unutterable longing for the salvation of his 
immortal soul. The desire to get away from the entire 
world, and present his case to God, took undisputed 
possession of him. He strolled off by himself, and 
entering a piece of woodland, threw himself upon his 
knees and begged for mercy and deliverance. 

The hours came and went unheeded. Still he plead 
for grace. Lord I believe, help thou my unbelief. The 
answer did not come, the agony increased ; but like 
Jacob he wrestled and would not be denied. 

As the first streaks of the morning light flashed up 



A UNIVERSALIST'S VIEW OF HELL. 113 

from the eastern horizon, the words came " Receive thy 
sight/' and into his bruised heart came a flood of light 
and peace. 

It was done, the great transaction was a thing ac- 
complished, and he was a new man in Christ Jesus. 

The immediate change in his life was such as God 
only could bring to pass. For years he had been living 
apart from his wife and children. She had borne with 
him until forbearance ceased to be a virtue, and she was 
forced for her own and her children's welfare to remove 
from his debasing influence. 

They were reunited, and their home became a happy 
one. Godliness reigned there, and praise and thanks- 
giving was the language of their hearts. 

He remained in the town until he had saved a 
thousand dollars, by industry and frugality, and then 
removed to the great West and bought a farm. Should 
this meet his eye— if he be yet in the land of the so- 
journers— it will be the first intimation he ever received, 
that his Sunday evening visit to the little school-house 
in Bozrahville, was ever known to any save himself and 
Almighty God. 



A UNIVERSALIST'S VIEW OF HELL. 

At the close of a meeting held in the city of N- 



total stranger, evidently a man of wealth and position, 
came to Mr. Mowry and invited him to spend the 
night at his house. 



114 UNIVERSALISM. 

" It is impossible, sir ; I have already promised to go 
home with Mr. -," said the missionary in reply. 

" But he does not need you at all, and I do. You 

must come. I will at once see Mr. , and secure 

your release ; " and without waiting to hear the answer 
to his proposition, he darted away in search of the friend 
with whom Mr. Mowry had engaged to visit. He soon 
came back saying, 

" I have seen Mr. , and, under the circumstances, 

he consents to your going with me." 

It was the first time in Mr. Mowry's experience that 
an entire stranger had ever made such a demand ; but 
the gentleman's manner was so urgent, so earnest and 
determined, that Mowry, though receiving no hint as to 
the motives governing the request, accompanied him 
without another word. 

Arriving at the house, which gave unmistakable indica- 
tions of refinement and elegance, the guest was ushered 
into the sitting-room and made heartily welcome. 

After being introduced to the lady of the house and 
engaging in a few moments' pleasant chatty conversation, 
the gentleman rang for the servant-maid and desired her 
to go to his uncle's — near by — and request him to come 
in. Instinctively Mr. Mowry connected the uncle with the 
object of his visit, but no word confirming his suspicions 
was spoken by the host. 

In due time the uncle came, and made one of the little 
circle around the pleasantly glowing fire. The introduc- 
tion was commonplace, and revealed no hint of any 
previous understanding between either party to the inter- 



A UNIVERSALIST'S VIEW OF HELL. 115 

view. Finally, when the silence had become somewhat 
oppressive, Mr. Mowry, hoping to break the ice, referred 
to the meeting of the evening, and expressed his satisfac- 
tion at the interest displayed. 

Not a word from the uncle, and very few from the 
nephew. 

The missionary was fairly at his wit's end, and deter- 
mined as a last resort to carry the war directly into the 
enemy's territory, being resolved to know why he had been 
brought there, or else seek another place of lodging. 
Turning to the uncle he asked with some little abrupt- 
ness. 

" Mr. , are you a Christian ? " 

" According to my understanding of your question, I 
am." 

" Have you been born again, — regenerated ? " 

" I do not know anything about becoming a Christian 
that way." 

" How, then, did you become a Christian ? " 

"By the death of Christ." 

The glitter in the nephew's eye, alone revealed that 
the object of his bringing the two together was being 
accomplished. Mr. Mowry read it at a glance, and 
knew that, feeling his own incompetency to lead his 
uncle to Christ, the nephew had been led to seek the 
missionary's aid. He resolved to do his utmost by the 
aid of the Holy Spirit towards the accomplishment of 
such an end, and continued, 

" You say you were made a Christian by the death of 
Christ. Will you tell me how his death resulted in your 



116 UNIVERSALISM. 

being made a Christian any more than they who were 
born before his death ? ' 

" I don't exactly know. You may not think I am a 
Christian, but I do, for I believe that all are Chris- 
tians ; I believe in the Universal Salvation of all man- 
kind." 

" What ! do you believe in Universalism, and the Bible 
too ? " 

" Yes, of course I do." 

" Please turn to the sixteenth chapter of the gospel of 
Luke where it is said of the rich man, ' in hell he lifted up 
his eyes, being in torments/ and account for the correctness 
of your notion — I will not say doctrine —of Universalism ! 
If all men are saved, if there is no such thing as future 
punishment, how do you sweep away this statement 
that there is not only a hell where the wicked are pun- 
ished, but moreover the torments are of the most terrible 
nature ? " 

" There is nothing more simple, sir," was the reply. 
" The word translated ' hell ' in the passage you quote is 
elsewhere given as ' grave,' though exactly the same in 
the original manuscripts. The hell which you orthodox 
people make so terrible is merely a figure of speech, 
taken from the Gehenna of the Jews, a place of burial — in 
short, the grave." 

" Then if I understand you, sir, the passage should 
read, ' and in the grave he lifted up his eyes/ etc. Tak- 
ing a common-sense view of your assertion, let us see 
what it would amount to. According to your version, the 
rich man says to all intents and purposes, ' Father Abra- 



A UNIVERSALIST'S VIEW OF HELL. 117 

ham, here I am in the grave, dead and buried. The 
grave is a terrible place to lie in, damp and uncomfort- 
able to the last degree. I am very greatly annoyed by 
the condition in which I find myself ; won't you be good 
enough to effect a change in my condition ? ' ' Impos- 
sible,' replies Abraham; 'you have the same privileges 
that all in your position enjoy, and besides I could not 
accomplish any change were I so inclined.' ' Then won't 
you be pleased to send to my father's house, he lives in 
such-and-such a street, so-and-so town, and tell my five 
brothers from me, that they must never, under any cir- 
cumstances, come where I am.' Or, in other words, 
the rich man, according to your interpretation of the 
Bible, wanted Abraham to convince his brothers that 
when they died they must never be buried.'' 

The uncle remained silent as one struck dumb ; but 
all the lion in Mr. Mowry's composition was aroused, and 
he did not mean to leave his opponent in doubt regarding 
the truth of his pet " notion." 

" Let us take another example. If you will turn to 
the twelfth chapter of Luke, you will find in the fourth 
and fifth verses as follows : ' And I say unto you, my 
friends, be not afraid of them that kill the body and after 
that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn 
you whom ye shall fear. Fear him which after he hath 
killed hath power to cast into hell (the grave) ; yea, I say 
unto you, fear him.' Or, in other words, if hell means 
the grave, and you are directed to fear him who puts you 
into it, you must fear the undertaker." 

It is safe to say that the self-styled Universalist was 



118 UNIVERSALISM. 

stricken as with an arrow from an archer's bow, and he 
hung his head in silence and shame. 

" It must be evident to yourself that you are not a 
Christian ; do you not desire to become one ? " 

" I think I do." 

" Let us then join in a season of prayer, asking with 
united hearts that God will reveal to you your lost and 
guilty condition, change your heart, and give you speedy 
evidence of your acceptance into the kingdom." 

He consented, and each in turn solemnly supplicated 
the throne of grace for an outpouring of Divine mercy 
upon the needy one. For the first time in the half 
century of his existence the uncle audibly asked God's 
forgiveness, and when the three separated, Mr. Mowry 
and his host to a night of peaceful rest, the other 
departed to spend the hours in thoughtful wakefulness, 
and anxiety for his eternal welfare. 

The incident was used of God to the conversion of his 
soul, and he became not only an earnest and thorough 
Christian, but also an active and aggressive one. Mr. 
Mowry did not know the result of that evening's work 
until some years afterwards, when a stranger accosted 
him on the public street. 

" You have the advantage of me, sir," said the mis- 
sionary, failing to recognize him. 

" Do you remember some years ago of passing the 

night at my house in the city of N :, and there holding 

a conversation about Universalism with my uncle ? " 

" Oh, yes, perfectly," responded Mowry ; " and pray 
tell me what was the result of that interview ? " 



A UNIVERSALIST'S VIEW OF HELL. 119 

" Well,'' answered the gentleman, " some time prior to 
that interview, my uncle and myself had been business 
partners together, but we had a disagreement and 
severed our business connection, leaving matters in 
a very unsatisfactory state to both parties. Being un- 
able to come to an amicable adjustment of our differ- 
ences, the affairs of the old concern were still unsettled 
at the time of your visit. My uncle went home that 
night, but found himself unable to sleep ; the conversa- 
tion of the evening seemed to haunt him and render 
sleep impossible. Finally, in the middle of the night 
he arose, dressed himself, and came to my house. 
Having succeeded in awakening me, he begged me 
to dress myself and come down to him. I did so, 
and we went to the barn together, and there before God 
our differences were all settled, and after a season of 
prayer and confession my uncle was born into the king- 
dom of God. It was as clear a case of conversion as I 
ever saw in all my life. He has ever since led a consist- 
ent Christian life, and many times have both of us praised 
our heavenly Father for the results of that evening's 
conversation at my house long years ago. I am truly 
glad of this opportunity of telling you this fact, for you 
surely will rejoice with us in victory of the Truth." 

After a few words of like import they parted, the mis- 
sionary experiencing a new sense of joy and thankfulness 
at this example of the abounding grace of God. 



CHAPTER IV. 

INFIDELITY. 

11 1 found an altar with this inscription — To the Unknown God. — Acts xvii. 23. 



INFIDELITY has been described as absolute want of 
faith in God, as utter unbelief in the truths of 
revelation, and the great principles of religion. 

Some authors — and in fact it may be said the great 
majority of theologians — class infidels in two grand 
divisions, viz.: Atheists and Deists. Certain men of 
ancient Greece, 'tis true, promulgated the idea of atheism 
under the leadership of Epicurus, about the year 3700 
A. M., and it was adopted by numerous Roman phil- 
osophers, among whom Celsus, Pliny the elder, and 
Lucretius were the most eminent. But we doubt if 
Epicurus, even, with his learning and his pride, ever 
bdieved in his own statement, that the world was but 
the fortuitous concourse of atoms and not the handiwork 
of a great Creator. Neither do we believe any avowed 
Atheist since the Reformation, from Machiavel and 
Spinoza down to Hume and Voltaire, has conscien- 
tiously believed in his inner heart the doctrines he 
avouched. 

A man may tell the same lie over and over again, 
until the conscience becomes dead and inoperative, and 



INFIDELITY. 121 

he ceases to think of it as a lie, but we deny that 
he ever comes to regard it as the truth, or that its repeti- 
tion ever deceives him as to its utter falsity and vicious- 
ness. 

We deny the existence of direct or speculative atheism, 
but recognize in the lives of those who pretend to believe 
in God and yet do not keep His laws nor conform their 
practice to their preaching, a result practically synonymous 
with atheism. To this class we may give the title prac- 
tical atheists, in contradistinction to the chimerical or 
speculative atheists who have no real existence in the 
world. 

Practical atheists include every human being whose 
belief in God — or in no God— results in a disregard of 
the experimental application of revealed Christianity in 
their daily lives. 

Or, in other words, practical atheists are they who live 
as though God did not exist. 

It will thus be seen that infidelity and practical 
atheism are synonymous, and include all who are not 
working out their salvation with fear and trembling. 

It would be utterly impossible to illustrate — yea, even 
to enumerate — the different phases which infidelity 
assumes. It is the Devil's theology, and is as prolific in 
the character of its assumptions, as the progenitor of it is 
inexhaustible in trickery and deceit. Infidels from time 
immemorial have delighted to attack the Bible, and no 
part of it has received their attention more fully, as 
betraying a gross inconsistency in the Scripture, with the 
avowed character of the justice of God — than those 
7 



122 INFIDELITY. 

passages which refer to the fore-knowledge and fore- 
ordination of God. 

The Christian worker will constantly be meeting per- 
sons who hurl fore-ordination at him, and ask him to 
reconcile it with the idea of free agency and moral 
accountability. It is therefore a matter of great impor- 
tance to be able to meet and silence these objections, and 
forever set at rest in the minds of those who may 
honestly doubt in regard to this matter. 

The worker should also remember that it is one thing 
to handle a subject and quite a different affair to handle 
an individual. It is probably no misstatement to say that 
of all the ministers of the gospel who fill the pulpits of 
our land to-day, not more than one in every hundred is 
capable of practically applying the truths he preaches to 
the needs of the individual \ they handle a subject passably 
well, but they utterly fail to handle men. 

This age is surfeited of theorists, of mere doctrinal 
proclamationists. Mankind needs the practical applica- 
tion of divine truth, and he who would teach the Word, 
must be able to fit it to the peculiar need of the in- 
dividual taught. 

Why is it that we see so little of " the inquiry-room " 
system adopted by our preachers throughout the land ? 
It is because they are painfully conscious of their weak- 
ness ; because — as one minister said who was prevailed 
upon to appoint an inquiry meeting at his own house, 
which was largely attended — " I don't know what to say 
to them." 

" Why did you appoint the meeting then ? " asked his 



FORE-ORDINATION NO HINDRANCE. 123 

wife, to whom he made the confession. "Why?" he 
replied, " I didn't believe anybody would come if I did 
appoint it, and thought I should run no risk." 

Christian worker, study to apply the power you possess ! 
Do not hurl scripture . at the heads of men indiscrim- 
inately, hoping that in the general onslaught some one 
may be hit. Such was not Christ's method of teaching. 
He never failed to handle the man as well as the truth ! 
Don't waste your ammunition. Make every blow you 
strike for God, a telling one. Then having done your 
part, you may rest in the confidence that He will give the 
victory in His own time. 

The subjoined incident in relation to fore-ordination, 
does not aim to furnish a guide in every instance, but 
contains valuable truths whose principles can be uni- 
versally applied. 



FORE-ORDINATION NO HINDRANCE TO 
FREE AGENCY. 

The Westminster Catechism contains the following 
sentence : " He for his own glory has fore-ordained what- 
soever cometh to pass." This statement is not only un- 
fortunate in phraseology, but likewise entirely false as a 
presentation of Bible truth. 

Mr. Mowry having occasion to frame Articles of Belief 
for a new church organization, inserted as one of the 
affirmations: "We believe that neither fore-knowledge 



124 INFIDELITY. 

nor fore-ordination furnishes any hindrance or excuse to 
the sinner." 

A prominent Doctor of Divinity, who was moderator 
of the council, and chairman of the committee selected 
to examine the Articles of Belief and the general creden- 
tials of the church, objected to this clause, and had 
stricken it out, when Mr. Mowry entered the room. 

" What induced you to put in that Article, Mr. Mowry ? " 
said the doctor in evident amazement. 

" Because I have spent at least one-quarter of my time 
for the last twenty-five years in counteracting the false 
statement made in the Westminster Catechism, and gen- 
erally incorporated in the Articles of Belief of our 
churches, and I think it is proper we should, at length, 
have a clear and comprehensive statement on the subject, 
which will not alone be substantiated by God's word, but 
commend itself to common sense," said Mr. Mowry. 

" Be pleased to explain yourself more definitely." 

" Certainly. The Bible statement of fore-knowledge 
and fore-ordination applies to God's own acts, and not to 
the acts of a free moral agent. Is it not the height of 
absurdity to teach that we, gifted by God with the right 
and privilege to accept or reject the proffer of salvation, 
are fore-ordained to do either the one or the other ? " 

The doctor remained silent for a few moments, and 
quietly reinstated the erasure. 

This idea of God's fore-kuowledge is often so grossly 
misrepresented, that honest doubts have grown out of 
it in the minds of many persons, who fail to reconcile 
the theory presented by the quotation at the beginning 



FORE-ORDINATION NO HINDRANCE. 125 

of this article with the teaching of man's accounta- 
bility to God. A case in point will serve as an illustra- 
tion. 

One Sabbath evening in mid-winter Mr. Mown- was to 
have spoken at a Mission Chapel in the city of Brooklyn. 
Shortly before the time appointed, he repaired to the 
place, but found the doors closed, and apparently no 
indications of their being opened. Evidently some mis- 
take had been made, but before being too hasty in taking 
his departure, he decided to accept for a few moments the 
friendly shelter of a drug store close by. 

As he entered the store the young clerk exclaimed, 

"Ah! good evening, Mr. Mowry; I was just hoping 
you would come in. I have a friend here in the back 
office, who has been worsting me in a religious discus- 
sion. I can't handle him, but I thought if you were only 
here and could meet his objections, he might possibly be 
convinced of his error." 

" What is the trouble ? " queried Air. Mowry. 

" Oh, its about fore-ordination." 

'• Well, bring your friend out here to me," quietly ob- 
served the missionary. 

This w T as done. He proved to be a fine, spirited look- 
ing fellow, evidently possessing natural acuteness and 
intellectual ability. After being introduced Mr. Mowry 
said : 

" Will you ask me the same questions you have asked 
your friend the clerk here ? " 

" Certainly. In the first place I asked him if he be- 
lieved God to be infinite. He said he did. I then asked 



126 INFIDELITY. 

him if he believed God fore-knew everything. He said 
' Yes, I believe it.' Then I said, will you tell me how it 
is possible for me to alter anything which has previously 
been fore-ordained ? This is the question upon which 
he could give me no satisfaction ; I now present it for 
your treatment.'' 

" Before I proceed, I should like to ask if you reason 
on every other subject in the same manner ? " queried 
the missionary. 

" I don't know whether I do or not," was the reply. 

" Are you a man of business ? " 

" Yes ; I am engaged in one of the largest publishing 
houses in New York city." 

" Well, if you do not know whether you apply this line 
of thought to any other subject, I advise you, when you 
enter the establishment to-morrow morning, to sit down 
in a chair, take up the morning paper, and pass the day 
as you please, for of course as God fore-knows every- 
thing and has fore-ordained everything, it will not — ac- 
cording to your theory — make any difference whether 
you work or not, it is all settled beforehand. What do 
you suppose your employer would say to your argument ? 
If you do not care to wait for his opinion in the matter, 
I will tell you what I would do in his place. I would 
show you the door and command you to quit the house. 
If you did not go fast enough, I should very probably 
accelerate your movements. I would not have such a 
creature in my employ." 

The young man evidently saw fore-ordination in a new 
light, for he cried " Enough ! enough ! " 



FORE-ORDINATION NO HINDRANCE. 127 

" Let us then adjourn to the back room and have a 
season of prayer over this interview," said Mr. Mowry, 
determined to follow up his advantage. 

" I am satisfied you should pray, but I don't care to," 
was the reply. 

" Why, have you nothing to ask for ? Prayer is simply 
asking God for that which he alone can inspire and be- 
stow." 

u If He were here, I would ask for something quick 
enough." 

" What would you ask for ? " 

" That my unbelief might be removed, for it is a sore 
burden." 

" Then ask Him now to remove it, for that is prayer ; 
and He is here with us to hear and to answer." 

With no further encouragement, they knelt and offered 
up petitions at the throne of grace. Mr. Mowry left the 
store grateful for the opportunity to point a soul to 
Christ, resolving to see his quondam friend again the 
next morning. He did so, and found that he had re- 
mained in the store all night, praying and praising the 
God who sent the light of Faith to illumine his soul. 
Let all remember that fore-know T ledge and fore-ordination 
refer to the acts of the Creator in the exercise of His 
Divine Will, but in no way affect or apply to the moral 
agent, who is left free and unrestrained, entirely respon- 
sible for his own position, for or against the All-Wise 
God. 



128 INFIDELITY. 



A LITTLE SPARK, AND A GREAT FLAME. 

In the following reminiscence, an infidel was brought 
gloriously into the light of Christ's gospel, and became a 
power in the land. 

A young man in speaking of his infidelity, said : 
" The trouble is, to get rid of it," and it is in replying to 
such well-worn aphorisms, that the power of experience 
is most successfully used. Weigh every statement made 
by your subject ; however trivial it may seem to you, to 
him it may be of vast importance. The little fuse a 
long distance from the blast, plays a prominent part in 
the ignition of the vital force confined in the heart of the 
rock. 

One day Mr. Mowry went to the office of a leading 

member of the legal fraternity in the city of N , to 

speak with him on the subject of religion. 

Upon entering the office, he found it in charge of a 
young man, whose manner and presence indicated ability 
and intelligence. 

" Is Mr. in ? " inquired the missionary. 

" No, he is not ; can I be of any service to you, sir ? " 
was the reply. 

" I think not, I prefer to see him personally. " 

" I am just as capable of taking a complicated case as 
he is, and as he is gone out of town to remain two weeks, 
you would do well to trust your matter in my hands." 

" I think I would prefer to see him about it." 

" But, my dear sir, it must be plain that I am compe- 



A LITTLE SPARK, AND A GREAT FLAME. 129 

tent to attend to his business, or he would not have left 
it in my charge." 

" Well," calmly answered Mr. Mowry, " you seem so 
anxious to take the case, I will try you. Perhaps when 
you hear it you won't be so ready to accept it. " 

" Be seated, sir, and state it \ " and placing chairs, both 
seated themselves, the young lawyer waiting for his new 
client to unfold his case. 

" I called upon your principal," began Mr. Mowry, 
speaking with great quietness and deliberation, " to con- 
verse with him on the subject of religion, are you willing 
to take the case ? n 

" Yes, and thank you for it, too," was the unexpected 
answer ; " I have been anxious about the subject for over 
a year. In fact, I have often attended prayer-meetings 
hoping some one would converse with me about it ; but 
neither the leader of the meetings nor any person present 
ever spoke with me about salvation. Why, I had begun 
to think that either there was very little sincerity in the 
desire of so-called Christians to help others to Christ, or 
that no one cared for me personally. I am glad to see 
you, and will be grateful for any instruction about my 
soul's salvation." 

Before the missionary had an opportunity to reply, the 
door was flung quickly open, and in bounded a young 
man, brimming over with animal life and youthful vigor. 

" Hello, old fellow ! " cried the new-comer impetu- 
ously, addressing the young lawyer, " are you ready to 
take that horse-back ride ? " 

M Xo ! I am engaged just now \ sit down until I have 



130 INFIDELITY. 

finished with this gentleman, and I will talk with you," 
he answered, evidently not a little annoyed at the inter- 
ruption. 

The other took a seat some twenty feet off, without 
any further remark, and Mr. Mowry continued his con- 
versation. Deeper and deeper grew the interest of the 
young lawyer as the glorious truths of the 'gospel of the 
Son of God were unfolded to him. Question and answer 
followed one another in rapid succession, and link upon 
link was furnished and added to the chain of evidence, 
proving the authenticity of the message of salvation, and 
the adaptability of the gospel to every need of the 
sinner. 

As the interview grew in interest, the new comer 
gradually moved his chair closer and closer, until he 
formed one of the group ; when Mr. Mowry turning to 
him observed : 

" What I have said to your friend is equally applicable 
to you." 

"Oh, I don't know about that; I'm a skeptic on the 
subject of religion." 

" Indeed ! Has skepticism ever done you any good ? " 

" Not that I know of." 

" Do you honestly believe that it ever will ? " 

" No, I can't say that I do." 

" Then you would not suffer any loss to give it up, 
would you ? " 

" Well, I suppose not, but the trouble is to get rid of 
it!" 

" You are mistaken, my friend, the trouble is a deeper 



A LITTLE SPARK, AND A GREAT FLAME. 131 

one. It is to get the disposition to get rid of it. Once 
you get the disposition, and you may be rid of infidelity 
very easily ! " 

" Oh ! as far as that's concerned, I've got the disposi- 
tion now." 

M I doubt it ! Are you willing I should test you as to 
the truth of your assertion ? " 

"Yes, perfectly so." 

Without further remark, Mr. Mowry took the temper- 
ance pledge from his pocket, and said : 

" Are you willing to sign this ? " 

The young man took it, and scanning its contents, 
replied, 

"I am,'' and accordingly did so at once, also making 
a copy of the document for preservation. Turning from 
him, the missionary presented it to the lawyer, who like- 
wise added his name without objecting. 

" So far, it is well ; and now, we will carry the 
test one step further; come with me into the inner 
office ! " 

The two friends followed, and the door was closed to 
prevent intrusion. 

" Now, we will have a season of prayer to Almighty 
God ! " observed Air. Mowry. 

" Oh," said the lawyer, " I am willing, and will be 
glad to have you pray, but I cannot do so." 

u Xor I either," added the self-styled skeptic. 

"You have both intimated a desire for your souls' 
salvation, and if, by the mercy of God, you ever attain it, 
it will be because you ask for it. If you want to enter 



132 INFIDELITY. 

the kingdom of God, you must knock at the door your- 
selves." 

" But then, we don't know how to do such a thing,'' 
exclaimed the other. 

" Christ has said," answered Mr. Mowry, "' Whosoever 
will be my disciple must deny himself and take up his 
cross and follow me.' Now, it would be no cross to you 
for me to pray. I have no doubt you would both be glad 
to hear me do so, and would, as much as you are able, 
unite with me in your hearts ; but you must begin to 
bear the cross yourselves, and that means to do some- 
thing you do not love to do, or know how to do, and to 
do it because God commands you to, and to continue 
to do it until such time as you do love it, and it ceases 
to be a burden." 

Both the young men stood undecided ; finally they 
consented to ask for the things uppermost in their hearts, 
and knelt in prayer. When they arose the young lawyer 
said but little, seeming quiet and subdued ; the other, 
however, placing his hand upon his breast, exclaimed : 

" I don't know what this means ! I have never felt so 
in all my life before ! " 

" How do you feel ? " asked Mr. Mowry. 

" Oh ! so peaceful, so happy, so — well, I can't describe 
it, only I know that it is a new state of experience." 

" God grant it may be confirmed and abiding, building 
you up into a knowledge of Himself ! " feelingly observed 
the missionary, as, after a few words of kindly advice 
and admonition, he took his leave. 

The outgrowth of that morning's work was somewhat 



" YE SHALL REAP IN DUE TIME IF YE FAINT NOT." 133 

remarkable. One year after that interview Mr. Mowry 
was in the city, and saw the young lawyer. He had 
joined the church, and was an earnest and active mem- 
ber. The succeeding year he again met him, and was 
rejoiced to find that he was not only rising to an eminent 
position in his legal calling, but that he had demonstrated 
that the profession of the law was perfectly consistent 
with that of the ministry, by often working hard at the 
former all the week, and preaching the gospel in "one of 
the largest churches in the city on the Lord's Day. 

After an interval of four years, Mr. Mowry heard from 
the former advocate of infidelity. He was then at college 
studying for the ministry. He was aftenvards ordained, 
and became not only an eloquent and forceful preacher, 
but what is better, a thorough worker in the field. 

Thus the result of that one interview has been blessed 
to hundreds. Verily, how great a flame a little spark 
kindleth. Let none esteem any service small which is 
done in honor of God's glory. He can use one word to 
the salvation of hundreds of precious souls. The virtue 
lies not altogether in the instrument, but in the power 
which wields it. 



"YE SHALL REAP IN DUE TIME IF YE 
FAINT NOT." 

The power of patient waiting on the part of the Chris- 
tian worker is the result of grace. Earnestness, faith, 
and perseverance are necessary qualifications of the 
gospel worker. To such God gives fruit in due season. 



134 INFIDELITY. 

The following incident setting forth the conversion of an 
infidel, will be read with interest : 

" How would you like me to go home with you and see 
mamma ? " asked Mr. Mowry one day of some children 
who were playing together in the street. 

The little ones seemed struck with the idea of captur- 
ing a great big man and carrying him home with them, 
and at once gave a joyful assent. They led the way- to the 
house', and presented their prize in a spirit of great glee. 
The family proved to be English by birth, and consisted of 
father, mother, and six fine looking boys. The father's 
business was of a nature which permitted his working 
at home, and one room was set apart for that pur- 
pose. 

" I met your boys in the street," explained the mis- 
sionary, as he and the children came somewhat uncere- 
moniously into the sitting-room, " and was very desirous 
of seeing the mother of such healthy, noble-looking little 
fellows." 

The manner and tone of the voice indicated a deeper 
motive than the mere words implied, and the good woman 
immediately bade him welcome, and pointed to a chair, 
awaiting the unfolding of her visitor's mission. 

She was not left in doubt any great length of time. 

" Do your boys attend Sunday-school anywhere, 
ma'am ? " 

The answer and subsequent conversation indicated 
that she was not a religious woman, though a strictly 
moral one, and was seemingly content to do the best she 
could, without being very desirous of doing any better. 



YE SHALL REAP IN DUE TIME IF YE FAINT NOT. 135 

While the conversation was at its height, the door of 
the adjoining apartment opened, and her husband, who 
had doubtless heard all that had been said, entered. 

"Are you what they call a free-wilier ? " he asked. 

" If you mean by ' free-wilier ' one who recognizes the 
truth that God has made me responsible for my own acts, 
I am." 

" Well, I don't believe in any thing of the kind I'm 
an infidel." % 

" Indeed ! Will you tell me in what manner infidelity 
has benefited either yourself, your family, or the circle 
in which you move ? " 

" As far as that is concerned, I don't know that it has 
been much of a help to me in any respect." 

" Why, then, do you advocate, and profess to believe, 
a system which results in good neither to you nor yours ? " 

The man remained silent, while the missionary added : 

" Now, I believe in the religion of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and it has not only made me a better man, but in 
a countless number of ways has proved its truth and 
divine origin by its practical workings under my own ob- 
servation. I would not advocate a system which could 
not prove its teachings by some benefit derived from the 
observance of them." 

The conversation was continued at some length, Mr. 
Mowry being careful not to enter into any attack on the 
system of belief advocated by his opponent, but confining 
his entire remarks to pointing out the barrenness of the 
results produced by it. These in turn were contrasted 
by the inexhaustible riches of the gospel of our Lord 



136 INFIDELITY. 

and Saviour, and thus without saying one harsh word, 
the beauty of Christianity and the hideousness of infi- 
delity were placed, as it were, over against each other. 
Mr. Mowry, so far from making the truth repulsive, fairly 
won the others' attention and respect, and when he took 
his leave, was requested to come again, with the assur- 
ance that he would receive a kindly welcome. 

Four years of earnest, patient, missionary work fol- 
lowed *his initial visit. The progress made was almost 
imperceptible, but whatever was gained was surely gained, 
and not the spasmodic result of a passing emotion. The 
man, though unable to give a satisfactory reason for his 
belief, remained apparently unmoved by any argument 
in favor of Christianity, and though the wife was most of 
the time engaged in thinking seriously about her soul's 
salvation, yet the influence of her husband was so strong 
she could not acknowledge her convictions, and openly 
espouse the Master's cause. 

Then she was taken sick, and she received the im- 
pression that it was to be her final illness. At her 
request, the husband sought Mr. Mowry, and invited 
him to her bedside. Again she desired to be told the 
way of Eternal Life. The cry of her soul was, " Lord, 
what must I do to be saved ? " 

" Is it possible," she said, while every deep-drawn line 
of pain upon her face, and the searching look of the 
sunken eyes bespoke her wonder — " is it possible that 
Christ's death and resurrection can make God willing to 
pardon sinners even on their dying beds ? " 

" Yes, such is the mercy of our God, and such His 



YE SHALL REAP IN DUE TIME IF YE FAINT NOT. 137 

appreciation of the atonement made for sin, that He is 
willing to pay those who have served but one hour, 
the same price as those who have borne the heat and 
burden of the day." 

The husband, who was listening to each word, was so 
overcome by the strength of his emotions, he burst into 
tears, and left the room. 

A few days later, she passed away calmly, trusting in 
Christ ; saying to her husband, with the last words that 
ever passed her lips, " Meet me in heaven." 

It was a lonely home to which that grief-stricken father 
and his six boys returned when all was over, and the 
wife and mother, freed from toil and trouble, had been 
laid away in the silence of the grave. The duties of 
everyday life remained to be fulfilled, but when the 
boys were away, some at work, and the rest at school, 
the man felt the absence of the wife more keenly, and 
began to dwell upon her parting admonition. 

One day Mr. Mowry found him seated at his bench 
with the tears streaming down his cheeks. Evidently 
the ground thus broken and ploughed up by affliction 
was ready for the seed, and in answer to a question as to 
the cause of his emotion, he replied : 

u I feel the need of something more than either men 
or angels can give." 

" Can you not describe your need more accurately ? " 

"I can, and in one word; I want rest" 

" Then you are in reality — without being conscious of 
it perhaps — seeking and wanting Jesus, for He alone can 
give the thing you crave. He says, ' Come unto me all 



138 INFIDELITY. 

ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you 
rest 1 'Tis the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Physician, 
whom you seek, and why not ask Him now for the boon 
you desire ? He is here in our midst ! " 

" I wish I could do so." 

" What hinders your doing it ? " 

" I have never done such a thing in my life, and do 
not know how." 

" You have said you want rest, — ask simply for that and 
nothing more." 

" But will the mere asking for it, ensure its being 
granted ? " 

" Yes, if you ask understanding^ and in faith." 

" What do you mean by understandingly ? " 

" Rest, in your case, would imply that you acknowledge 
your position as a miserable sinner, dead in trespasses 
and sins \ that you come to God pleading no righteous- 
ness of your own, but through faith in the Lord Jesus 
Christ whose atoning blood cleanseth from all unright- 
eousness, you seek the pardon and remission of your 
sins, and adoption into the family of Almighty God. 
This is what I mean by praying understandingly for rest, 
because all this is implied in the use of the word, to one 
in your position. Can you, and will you, ask Almighty 
God for your want ? " 

"I can and will," was the deliberate and solemn 
answer. 

Together they knelt down, and besought mercy, and 
grace, and peace. The result of this interview with the 
Lord did not bring the answer the man had desired, 



YE SHALL REAP IN DUE TIME IF YE FAINT NOT. 139 

and though his manner evinced his deeper religious tone, 
he did not dare to call himself a Christian. 

In the spring he too was taken sick, and also became 
impressed with the idea that he would never recover. 
He was right in so judging. He sank rapidly, growing 
weaker and weaker with each succeeding day, until 
finally, knowing the end to be near, he sent for Mr. 
Mowry to bid him farewell. 

In response to the summons the missionary came, find- 
ing him quiet and patient in the hands of the Lord. He 
said : " Dear sir, we shall never meet again in this world. 
We have had many an interview, many a pleasant chat 
together, but this is the final one. Yes, I feel it here, 
and I want to say a few words to you for your encourage- 
ment." 

" Had you not better save your strength, instead of 
overtaxing your powers.'' 

" It will not overtax me ; besides, I wish it. I feel 
that I am going soon, and that I am ready whenever 
God says ' come/ I feel, too, that I owe my conversion, 
under God's grace, to your patient, earnest labor for my 
salvation. Many had spoken to me before I saw you, 
but their words were empty sounds to my unbelieving 
ear, and they went as they came. You sought not only 
to benefit the soul, but the body likewise. If you had 
not proved your sincerity and interest for my welfare by 
giving me your custom, and inducing others to trade with 
me also, and by many acts of unmistakable kindness, I 
should never have believed you any more than the rest ; 
but you came with both hands full — one with the message 



140 INFIDELITY. 

of peace and Christianity, the other bearing the fruits of 
your teaching in the practice of your life. I began by 
respecting you, and then your religion. Respect, in time, 
gave way to an awakening interest in the truth, until 
now, upon the threshold of the grave, I can praise God that 
the interest has ripened into belief, into faith in the Lord 
Jesus Christ as my all-sufficient Saviour, and I am a free 
man in Him." 

The missionary's heart was full of praise to Him whose 
word never returns unto Him void. Eleven years had 
passed away since the day he had first followed the 
laughing children home, and, at last, the grain was ripe 
for the harvest ! It was their last interview. The sick 
man died before Mr. Mowry came again, falling peace- 
fully asleep in Jesus. Verily " Ye shall reap in due 
season if ye faint not." 

In building every important work of architecture, great 
care is taken with the foundation upon which the super- 
structure rests. In that great piece of civil engineering 
known as the East River Bridge, what an immense 
amount of labor, and study, and time, and means, was 
expended upon the caissons upon which the bridge 
towers now rest. Before a single stone of the piers 
themselves were laid, months of patient toil was neces- 
sary in order that the after work should stand upon a 
firm basis. 

Just so it is in building for Christ. How many have 
hindered the work they desired to advance, by striking 
either in the wrong direction or at the wrong time. 
Undisciplined zeal, as a rule, is bad policy in every 



YE SHALL REAP IN DUE TIME IF YE FAINT NOT. 141 

experience in life, either in the moral, physical, or 
spiritual domain. Especially is this true in the latter 
case. 

If you are burning with zeal to work for God, go to 
Him, before you take another step, and ask His guidance 
in the presentation of the word of salvation. Any other 
course is sure to be fatal to the welfare of the soul you 
seek to benefit. You cannot in your own wisdom and 
strength accomplish a single thing for God ! You can — 
at best — so hinder and obstruct the surface, that whoever 
comes after you, must first remove the unsightly ruins of 
your work, before laying a foundation which will stand 
the strain of the practical superstructure of life. 

The weapon which God Almighty has put into your 
hands is a powerful one, it is two edged and cuts both 
ways ! Seek, then, instruction from the Lord how to 
wield it, lest peradventure when you would strike the 
enemy you should maim yourself and injure your friend. 

In the case of the Practical Atheist^ which we now 
give, perhaps no other course would have opened the 
way to the lasting benefit of the man's soul. It was a 
foundation built to stand ; and was clearly the leading of 
the Holy Spirit. 



142 INFIDELITY. 



THE JEWELLER'S TEST. 

Mr. Mowry was asked upon one occasion, to visit a 
man whose family, consisting of his aged mother and his 
two motherless children, were in great distress and want 
through his culpable neglect. He proved to be a manu- 
facturing jeweller by trade ; and was an exceptionally fine 
workman, capable of earning ten dollars per day. But 
the curse of intemperance had bound him fast; the 
appetite for liquor was swiftly dragging him down to 
everlasting ruin and destruction. Finally he became so 
low and thriftless that the aged grandmother was obliged 
to beg food to keep the children from starving. All his 
time was spent in the dram-shop, and every penny he 
could manage to get, was given for rum. His neighbors 
were sober, industrious mechanics, who were working 
hard and receiving perhaps two dollars a day, and at 
length they became tired of supporting the children 
of a man who could earn almost as much in eight 
hours as they could accumulate in an entire week. 
Accordingly they induced Mr. Mowry to call upon the 
man, and attempt his reformation. 

Fortunately he came upon him in a lucid interval; 
and found him at work in his little shop for the first time 
in weeks. 

As the missionary entered, the man looked up from his 
work, and waited for him to make the object of his visit 
known. 

'* I have called," said Mowry, " to examine your work. 



THE JEWELLER'S TEST. 143 

You are a manufacturer of jewelry I believe, and though 
I do not at present want anything in your line, — still I 
may in the future, besides using my influence to direct 
my friends here. Show me some of your best work, will 
you ? " 

"Are you a judge of good work?" queried the man, 
glancing at his visitor keenly. 

"Well, I shall at least give you my opinion of it." 

The man handed Mr. Mowry a chain of gold without 
further comment. 

" Is this the best you can do ? " asked Mowry. 

" Don't you call that good enough ? " cried the other. 

" I did not say whether it was good or bad ; I asked 
you if it was the best you could do ? " 

"No ; it's not the best I can do, but this is," at the 
same time offering another delicate chain for his visitor's 
inspection. 

Mowry examined it with evident attention, and in per- 
fect silence \ the man meanwhile awaiting his decision 
with a feeling of interest for which he could not 
account. 

" Well," said the missionary at length, as he handed 
the trinket back to its maker, " I am satisfied that you 
are a good workman, that you understand your business 
thoroughly, and that I may safely patronize you myself 
and influence my friends to do likewise." 

The object of his caller was evidently deeper than he 
had yet revealed, and the man, though gratified by the 
praise accorded his work, was curious as to the real 
cause of the visit. Suddenly a suspicion of the truth 



144 INFIDELITY. 

dawned upon him, and thinking to take the wind out of 
his adversary's sails, he cried abruptly : 

" Well, you have had your say, but I don't know who 
you are, nor what you are ; as for me, / believe in religion ! " 

No word had been used in reference to the sub- 
ject, that could have given rise to a suspicion that 
its introduction was the real object of the visit, and 
the man's barefaced assertion, coming so unexpectedly, 
would have confused a less experienced worker. 
Indeed it was so abrupt, that it almost unsettled Mr. 
Mowry, but instantly seizing the chance to insert the 
small end of the wedge, he asked with well assumed 
amazement, 

" What ! believe in religion ? " 

"Yes, religion! I believe in religion myself." 

" Believe in religion ! what is religion ? black or white, 
round or square, long or short; what is itV 

" Why," was the hesitating reply, " it's doing as you'd 
be done by." 

" Oh ! that's what it is, eh ? Well, where's the test of 
your belief in it, my friend ? " 

'* Why, in here ! " answered the man, tapping his 
breast with his hand. 

" Haven't you any other test of your religion except - in 
here ' ? " exclaimed Mowry, imitating the action of the 
other and striking his breast repeatedly. 

" No ; ain't that enough ? " 

" What do you keep in that little vial on your work- 
bench," asked Mowry, paying no attention to the other's 
question. 



THE JEWELLER'S TEST. 14:5 

«0h, that's acid." 

" What do you use it for ? " 

" To test old gold with.'* 

" Now see here, my friend, if a man should come to 

you and say : 'Mr. I've got a lot of old gold here 

which I should like to sell.' You would answer, 'All 
right i I will buy it at so much a pennyweight.' The man 
being satisfied with the price, you would commence to 
test his gold. Then suppose he should cry out ' Hold 
on! what are you going to do with that stuff in the 
bottle ? ' ' Why I'm going to test your gold with it,' you 
would say. ' Yes, but what's that for ? it don't need any 
test ; / know it is gold ; ' you would ask, ' How do you 
know it?' 'Oh, I know it in here] he would reply, 
tapping his vest • ' it's all right ; it's enough, ain't it ? ' 
Now, I ask you, what would you think of that man ? " 

"Well, I should think he either knew his gold was 
impure, or he was mighty afraid of it ! " 

" Then you wouldn't buy his gold upon any such test 
as ' in here ' ? " 

" Not if I was sober." 

"Well then, if you wouldn't accept old gold by any 
such rule, you will excuse me, if /decline to accept your 
religion unless you can prove it by some better test than 
you have offered," said Mr. Mowry, looking his opponent 
squarely in the eyes. 

The man seemed completely overcome ; he had been 
given an illustration which came home to him, which he 
could understand, and he asked meekly : 

"Well, what is your test for religion ? " 






146 INFIDELITY. 

"The word of God," was the solemn reply, followed 
by a careful, timely, exposition of the words of Eternal 
Life, which was listened to with respectful attention and 
growing earnestness, as point after point was taken up 
and explained in turn. 

The visit was immediately productive of good ; a great 
change was apparent in his manners, and he became 
thoughtful and diligent. His aged mother was no longer 
under the humiliating necessity of begging means for 
their support. Visit followed visit in rapid succession, 
until finally this seemingly lost sheep was safe within the 
sheltering fold. 



AN INFIDEL CLUB, 

AND WHAT CAME OF IT. 

Avowed Infidelity is not always as courageous as it 
appears. Persons who openly court notoriety in opposing 
the work of divine revelation, often resemble the dog 
whose bark was worse than his bite, and in many 
such instances conviction has either begun its work, 
or the awakening speedily follows. A case in point is 
subjoined. 

In the winter of 1866, a Sabbath-school teacher came 
to Mr. Mowry with a letter, which read as follows : 

« Mr. S , 



Dear Sir : — I am much obliged to you for the inter- 
est and attention you have manifested toward my children 



AN INFIDEL CLUB. 147 

since they have been in your Sabbath-school, but I can- 
not consent to have them study any longer a book which 
I do not believe to be the word of God. I have there- 
fore removed my little ones, and shall not allow them 
to return unless you can convince me of my error in 
regard to the Bible. You are at liberty to visit me at 
any time for this purpose, and may bring with you any 
person you please to aid you in your effort. 
Yours resp't'y, 

D ." 

" What shall I do about it ? " asked the teacher. 

" Go and see him, and vindicate the truth of God's 
word." 

" But, I do not feel competent to cope with a man of 
his ability, and am afraid I might only confirm his 
false ideas, by being unable to overcome his prejudice." 

"Then you must take some one with you in whom 
you have confidence." 

" That one, with your consent, shall be yourself. Are 
you willing ? " 

11 1 am. Make the engagement and I will go with 
you." 

This was done, and at the time appointed, Mr. S 

and Mr. Mowry presented themselves at Mr. D ? s 

house. What was their surprise when, instead of meet- 
ing their host and calmly discussing Bible truths, they 
found an organized Infidel club aw r aiting their coming in 
the best spirits, anticipating an easy victory over the 
champions of Christianity. 



148 INFIDELITY. 

Mr. Mowry, however, had been trained to accept cir- 
cumstances as they might be presented, and calmly 
awaited the enemy's opening fire. After the meeting 
had been called to order, the president arose, and 
announced the topic for discussion. It was this : 

"Is the Bible true, as the word of God? " In assum- 
ing the negative side of the question, he produced most 
of the well known arguments of Thomas Paine, and, 
being a man of rare ability and oratory, succeeded in 
building an argumentive structure which his fellow mem- 
bers thought absolutely impregnable. For over half 
an hour, his words poured forth in an impetuous tor- 
rent, and then, amid murmurs of applause and glances 
of admiration, he took his seat, leaving the affirmative 
side to recover from the blow if it could. Mr. Mowry 
arose, and said : 

" In judging the truth or falsity of a proposition, or 
in estimating the intrinsic value of any commodity either 
material or mental, we must apply some test. My test 
for proving the falsity of Infidelity is the Bible ; but you 
do not coincide with me as to the value of this test, 
therefore I desire to ask, before I proceed, upon what test 
can we agree to establish either the truth or falsity of your 
theory ? " 

" Reason," was the sententious reply. 

" / accept it, sir" said Mowry, without the slightest 
hesitation, to the evident surprise of the entire gather- 
ing. 

" I assert, without fear of successful contradiction, that 
the Bible is the revealed word of God, and propose to 



AN INFIDEL CLUB. 149 

prove a system which contradicts this assertion, blas- 
phemously false, applying Reason as the test. The 
Bible contains these words, u For by their fruits shall ye 
know them;" and you will admit, I think, that no system 
of Theology or morals is ever better than the results it 
produces. This statement being true, let us look for 
a few moments at the practical results of Christianity 
and Infidelity, as demonstrated in the lives of their 
respective adherents, and judge each by the test of 
Reason." 

Mr. Mowry then went on to paint in glowing terms the 
effect of Christianity in the every-day life of an earnest, 
conscientious child of God ; who, believing the Bible to 
be God's Word, lives in accordance with its teachings. 
Applying the test of Reason to the results produced, it 
was conclusively shown that, in every particular, Chris- 
tianity is in accord therewith, and merely strengthened by 
the application. Then he turned the gaze of his hearers 
to the results of Infidelity as evinced by its professed 
followers \ saying, " I have applied the test of your selec- 
tion to my own life ; I have shown that Christianity 
prevents me from using profane language ; from drinking 
intoxicating liquors ; from indulging in any appetite the 
flesh may crave in antagonism to God's Word ; and I 
have shown also that neither of these habits or practices 
are in accord with Reason. Now I desire to put your 
system to the proof, and I ask how many of you are con- 
stantly given to the daily practice of the vices I have 
named. Is there one among your number who does not 
use profane language ? If so, speak ; that we mav score 



150 INFIDELITY. 

it to the credit of your system. What, no answer ! Is 
there one among you who does not drink intoxicating 
liquors ? Still silent ! Then let me ask if some of your 
company cannot deny the vice of gambling, that you may 
at least score one point in accordance with Reason on your 
side of the argument ! Not one voice replies. Gentle- 
men, I have nothing further to say. " By their fruits ye 
shall know them." 

Never was a party of disbelievers in God's Word 
more thoroughly and completely routed. No one seemed 
disposed to break the awkward silence which followed ; 
until finally the leader arose, and said, he, for one, 
was addicted to the use of intoxicating liquor, but it had 
not become a habit with him, and he had just as lieve 
take the pledge as not. 

" If you mean what you say, you may take this oppor- 
tunity to do so," said Mr. Mowry, taking the pledge from 
his pocket and handing it to him. 

Despite the evident disapprobation of the remainder of 
the club, the president signed his name to the document 
and recorded his determination to be true to his word. 

Stimulants had really been the life of their gatherings, 
and the course adopted by their acknowledged leader 
was received with general disfavor, and the meeting soon 
after broke up, nothing being said about another invita- 
tion to discuss the question of the evening. 

Mr. Mowry invited the president to meet him at his 
own house. The invitation was accepted, and it was not 
long before he renounced infidelity, and the club ceased 
to exist 



AN INFIDEL CLUB, 151 

Three years after, the father, whose letter led to the 
incident we have related, sent his children back to the 
school, and announced that he, too, had given himself to 
the Lord. When questioned as to his conversion, he 
answered : 

"Well, I'm not superstitious, as you know; but one 
Sunday as my little girl was playing about she fell 
down the cistern, and was nearly drowned before we got 
her out. The thought came to me then, c If she had been 
in Sunday School this would not have happened.' But I 
soon forgot it, and everything went along as before. On 
a subsequent Sunday my boy fell down the same cistern, 
and was taken out, as we thought, dead. He was finally 
brought to life, but for six months was terribly ill 
from the effects of it. I could not be negligent of the 
second warning to give myself to God, and send my chil- 
dren where they might learn to keep holy the Lord's day ; 
and that is how I was led to become a Christian." 

One day a policeman came up to Mr. Mowry and said: 

" I should like to have my children go to Sunday School 
if you will be good enough to take them." 

"Certainly, I will find a place for them." 

" You don't know me, do you ? " 

" No. I do not remember having met you before." 

" Don't you remember that Infidel Club at Ducker's ? " 

" Yes, yes \ were you of the number ? '' 

" I was indeed ; but thank God, I'm a member of His 
club now." 

Upon another occasion the sexton of a mission school 
came to the missionary and said : 



152 INFIDELITY. 

" You have often been at our mission, but I don't be- 
lieve you recognized me as one of that club that used 
to meet at Ducker's." 

" Well, no I did not ; but I am glad to know it, and to 
know also that you're in another line now." 

" You gave us some pretty hot shot that night." 

" And from all appearances I guess some of 'em struck 
home." 

Thus, one after another, every member who was present 
on the evening we have described, was in due time led to 
embrace the blessed truths of Christianity. 



"WE'LL SERVE THE DEVIL IF WE HAVE 
TO DO IT ALONE ! " 

While the incident which follows might properly have 
been given under the head of Election, nevertheless, its 
characteristic features illustrate pointedly the practical 
results of Infidelity. It will be found to contain many 
points of value to Christian workers. 

The revival was growing in power, and the results 
were becoming more and more apparent, in the village 

of B . The devil, however, never deserts his ship 

while a plank is left to stand on, and in this respect alone, 
sets Christians an example they might follow with profit 
to themselves and the cause of Christ. There were three 

families, living in one house in B , who looked with 

entire disapprobation upon the work of grace being 



we'll serve the devil, etc. 153 

carried on around them. Being filled with the lust of 
flesh, and the pride of life, they imagined their amuse- 
ment and enjoyment would be seriously hindered by the 
revival ; should every one relinquish the former mode of 
life, and live in accordance with the word of God, where 
would they look for companions ? Finally the three 
women came together, and formally agreed, " If every- 
body else in B gets converted, we three will serve the 

devil ! We'll do it if we have to do it alone ! " 

The husband of one of them incidentally told of their 
action in the presence of Mr. Mowry, who inwardly 
resolved to follow them until they were either converted to 
God, or His spirit should say ' Let them alone.' 

Accordingly he immediately sought Mrs. H , and 

explained the object of his visit, pressing the importance 
of salvation and urging the acceptance of mercy while 
God was gracious, for He might not strive forever to win 
her to Himself ! 

"You talk just as if there never had been a revival 
before, and never was to be another after this one, but I 
want you to understand this is not the first thing of the 
kind I have seen," she exclaimed with no little acidity. 

" If you have witnessed another you probably saw 
it a long way off, and was in no sense influenced by its 
force." 

"I don't know what you mean by a 'long way off.' 
It was so near that my own father and mother were con- 
verted." 

She stopped for a moment, and added, in a milder 
tone, " Yes, all my father's family but myself." 



154 INFIDELITY. 

" Did God call you at that time ? " asked Mr. Mowry, 
solemnly. 

She did not answer, but began to tremble visibly, her 
whole frame being shaken as by a power beyond her 
control. It was some little time before she became 
calm enough to resume the conversation. 

" Tell me, what caused the remarkable emotion I have 
just witnessed ? " asked the missionary. 

" I can't tell you, besides I dare not if I could," was 
the reply. Being pressed upon the point, she finally 
yielded, and began to describe her realization of God's 
voice in the call He had graciously given her. She told 
how sweetly the Spirit had pleaded with her, saying, 
" Daughter, give me thy heart/' and how she had repulsed 
Him, and bade Him leave her alone, adding : 

"And He did leave me! From that time to this, I 
have never had any feeling on the subject, and never 
expect to ! I have made up my mind to give myself 
no further trouble about it^ and I wish you and every one 
else would let me alone. It only makes me unhappy, 
and does no good. I saw you as you came towards 
the house, and something told me your coming was on 
my account ; but I wish you would keep away, and let 
me alone ! " 

" Mrs. H — : — , I am not surprised at your disliking to 
see me ; but I have labored earnestly and kindly for 
you ; and I feel as much interest in your welfare, as I 
ever felt in any one whom I was led to point to Jesus. 
If the time should come when you desire to see me, and 
you will let me know it, I will come, even if you send at 



we'll serve the devil, etc. 155 

midnight," and turning from her without another word, 
the missionary left the room. 

Mrs. H gazed after him with a sense of relief, and 

thought to herself, " If you only come when I send for 
you, this will be your last visit." As she reseated herself 
and took up her work, Conscience said : " After all, he 
was right and you were wrong ; and you know it, too, 
yet you despised his advice and sent him away ! 
Could you blame him if he never should come 
again ? " 

Then she was led, in a way she could not resist, to 
contemplate her position of avowed opposition to God ; 
her eyes were opened, and she saw herself a sinner deep 
dyed and rebellious. The sight was too powerfully vivid 
for nature to counteract, and she fell from her chair to 
the floor, unconscious. 

A godly woman, living on the same floor, heard the 
fall and ran to see what was the cause. She found 

Mrs. H still lying prostrate, in great agony of 

mind. She enquired what was the matter, and if 
she could be of any assistance. For some little time 

her question elicited no reply ; then Mrs. H desired 

she would send her little daughter to Mr. Mowry's house, 
and request him to come and see her at once. The 
little girl was dispatched on her mission, but returned 
with the information that Mr. Mowry had just gone 
away for the day. 

" I cannot wait ; I must have relief at once ! " cried 

the penitent one. "Oh, Mrs. B , you profess to be a 

Christian, and to love God, won't you pray for me ? " 



156 INFIDELITY. 

" I never did pray with any one in my life," said 

Mrs. B ; " but if you will pray for yourself, I will 

try." 

They retired to an adjoining room, and there knelt in 
prayer to God for the salvation of her soul. 

True to His own word, the answer came ; before they 

left the room Mrs. H was a converted woman, 

gloriously trustful in the knowledge of sins forgiven, and 

the power to be kept from evil; while Mrs. B , too, 

who had never been actively engaged in spreading the 
truth she had long enjoyed herself, was so baptized by 
the Holy Ghost, that it almost seemed, and in fact was, 
a new revelation. 

The second one of the trio was Mrs. W . The day 

chosen by Mr. Mowry for his visit to her, was the first of 
January. After the commonplace salutation usual to 
the occasion, he said : 

" Mrs. W , I am here to-day because of a special 

purpose. It is the custom to make New Year's calls, 
but I never do anything merely because it is fashionable 
to do it. The thought struck me, ' Why, this is New 
Year's Day, and a date easily fixed in the mind , would 

it not be a capital opportunity for Mrs. W to start 

out in the narrow way which leads to eternal life.' It 
seemed to me that it would be, and I am come to urge you 
to accept God's invitation, and receive at his hands the gift 
of his Son. Oh ! what a New Year's gift that would be 
to you ? Will you not take it ? " 

" If I make no promises, I shall have none to break," 



we'll serve the devil, etc. 157 

she answered, apparently touched more than she was 
willing to allow. 

" It is true, if you do not promise you will not have a 
promise to break so far as I am concerned ; but with God 
the case is different — whether you promise or not, your 
obligation to Him remains the same, and He will hold you 
as responsible for failing to keep His commandments — 
not havifig promised so to do, as though you had bound 
yourself to that effect by every oath administered by 
the Christian Church." 

She gave some evidence of awakening interest, and 
Mr. Mowry continued : 

" Remember God is a discerner of the inward thoughts 
and intents of the heart ! He has said whosoever is not 
for me is against me, and He measures your sin not by 
any promise you make, and fail to keep, but by your guilt 
in refusing to live up to the light He gives you." 

The interview continued at some length to develop 
this idea, and was made instrumental of her conversion, 
which displayed no such instantaneous evidence of 
God's power to convict and save, but was complete and 
full, and granted in His own way and time. 

The third person who had agreed to serve the devil, 
was the wife of the man who had informed Mr. Mowry 
of the fact ; and in her case God chose to leave her to the 
error of her evil way, exemplifying the truth " I will have 
mercy on whom I will have mercy. " — Rom. ix. 15. 



CHAPTER V. 

ROMANISM. 



" Whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs 
and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them 
that perish."— II Thess. ix. 10. 



THE devil is never more to be feared than when he 
comes in the form of godliness. 

Romanism— with its pomp of outward show — its 
gorgeous ensemble, its symbols and forms, its priests 
and nuns, its confessional and penance, its Mariolatry 
and Canonization of Saints, its weight of superstition 
and error, its willful perversion of the truth, and its 
lasciviousness and lewdness, forms a terrible object to 
contemplate. 

It holds its converts with a grasp of iron. Composed 
for the most part of the lower order of society, its 
members are scarcely able to read the Scriptures, 
much less to understand a single word of the " Latin " 
jargon rehearsed in their religious services, and they are 
dominated by the priesthood, and accept with implicit 
faith whatever is taught by the Church. 

Trained from childhood up to hate Protestantism, and 
to fear the awful curse of the Church if he should adopt 
its views, the average Romanist is a very difficult person 



ROMANISM. 159 

to reach. He does not consider himself bound by any 
ties of honor to speak the truth upon the subject of re- 
ligion i on the contrary, it is esteemed rather meritorious 
than otherwise, to throw the Protestant gospel-worker 
as far astray, and do him as much violence, in a moral 
point of view, as may be possible. What is to be 
the future of Romanism in this country, is a very serious 
question, which we do not propose to enter upon. Let 
one and all, however, unite in the effort to do everything 
that will tend towards leading these people out from 
the bondage and thraldom of Popery, into the light of 
Truth. 

Be vigilant, earnest, patient, painstaking, prayerful, and 
in the spirit of the Master, warn them to flee from the 
wrath to come. Remember the words of Jesus, " Blessed 
are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and 
shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my 
sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad : for great is your 
reward in heaven." 

The incidents selected for this chapter contain many 
valuable hints to gospel- workers ; and though want of 
space precludes the possibility of giving illustrations of 
all the various tenets of this false church, we have never- 
theless chosen subjects which are most frequently pre- 
sented for treatment. 



160 ROMANISM. 



HOW A ROMANIST WAS REACHED. 

The Christian worker who attempts to turn the Roman- 
ist from his belief to the gospel as it is in Jesus Christ, 
must expect to work patiently. The peculiar education 
of the Roman Catholic Church, begins with the child, 
and never relaxes its efforts to deepen the prejudice 
against Protestantism in the minds of its converts, and 
its teaching can only be counteracted by long and 
patient work. 

If you seek to influence a Romanist in favor of your 
system of Christianity by denouncing his, you have 
committed the greatest error possible, and may as well 
give over the conflict before the battle is fairly begun. 
If you cannot attack their belief, are you wondering 
how a change is to be effected in them regarding it? 
The solution is to obtain their confidence in your sincerity 
to benefit them personally and temporally. If you can 
by any means convince them of your willingness to 
sacrifice your own pleasure for theirs ; if you can make 
them believe, in short, that their religion is the last 
thing in the world influencing your interest, you have 
reached a point where it is safe to commence the 
campaign, and by God's help bring them to the light as 
it is in Christ. 

The following incident is a fair sample of quiet, patient 
work in this direction : — 

Some years ago a poor woman fell and broke her arm, 
at the same time slightlv cutting her hand with a 



HOW A ROMANIST WAS REACHED. 161 

looking-glass she was carrying at the time of the 
accident. The latter wound, apparently so trival, was 
not even dressed, but the broken bone was carefully 
set and taken care of. The quicksilver on the glass, how- 
ever, communicated poison to the blood, and the arm 
became inflamed, and in spite of all precaution, was 
through necessity amputated above the point of fracture. 
Instead of healing, however, a second operation became 
imperative, and the stump was taken off at the shoulder. 
The disease had nevertheless gone faster than the 
amputation, and the body became affected, and death 
finally ensued. 

From the moment of the accident up to the time of her 
death, she was sustained entirely by charity, and for three 
years Mr. Mowry followed her up and ministered to 
her wants, supplying her with whatever was necessary to 
render her life measurably comfortable. 

She was an ardent Romanist during most of this 
time, but Mr. Mowry never spoke against the Roman 
Catholic Church, or in favor of Protestantism. The 
staple of his conversation was Christ, and God 
blessed the course adopted, and the sufferer was finally won 
over by love for the dying, the risen, the living Son of God! 

Had Mr. Mowry begun by denouncing Roman 
Catholicism at a time when she had faith in its 
truth, he never would have gained her confidence and 
won a soul for Christ ; but the Lord gave him patience 
to bide His time and to work with judgment and knowl- 
edge. 

Xo work done ostensibly/^ Christ, is of such power 



162 ROMANISM. 

against Him, as the zealousness of a Christian worker un- 
accompanied by knowledge. 

One day two of the Sisters of Charity came to visit the 
dying woman, and while giving her a few pennies, put 
their hands upon her forehead in a mechanical way, 
and asked in a whisper who Mr. Mowry was. 

" He is a Protestant friend of mine," was the honest 
and unhesitating reply, " who has done more for me and 
mine than all my Catholic friends put together." It is 
unnecessary to say the " Sisters " never visited her again. 

By request of the dying woman, Mr. Mowry officiated 
at her funeral, and rode to the grave with her Catholic 
friends, who evinced their appreciation for his kindness 
by listening with respect to his remarks. 

The daughter, whose care of her mother through her 
long and trying illness, had displayed a devotion sel- 
dom equalled, soon after united with a Protestant church, 
saying in answer to the questions of her Catholic friends, 
that she had judged of the correctness of the two 
systems of theology by the results of their practical 
workings, and she could not but believe her mother had 
done wisely in fixing her choice upon the saving power 
of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom was all the fullness 
of the Godhead. 



THE INFINITY OF THE VIRGIN MARY. 

"The Blessed Virgin" plays a very important part in 
the ceremony of the Romish Church, and every Romanist 



THE INFINITY OF THE VIRGIN MARY. 163 

venerates and adores her. Almighty God has said, " Thou 
shalt have none other gods before me." Romanism, how- 
ever, throws this commandment overboard, and sets up a 
perfect galaxy of gods of various degrees of standing, 
from Mary down to the meanest saint on the calendar. 
No indignity can be offered to a Romanist greater than 
an attack upon the divine attributes and powers of the 
Virgin Mary. It is, however, absolutely necessary to over- 
throw belief in her, before they are fitted to receive 
the truth in Christ. An argument as pointed as it is con- 
clusive and unanswerable, is furnished by the following 
sketch : 

In the course of one of Mr. Mowry's visits to the jail, 
he became greatly interested in a smart, talented young 
man who possessed no mean knowledge of the Scripture. 
He was an ardent Roman Catholic, and in accord- 
ance with the views of that doctrine, was upholding 
Mariolatry. His tongue was very glib, and the other 
inmates of the cell, likewise Romanists, were in no little 
exultation at his apparent ability to worst the missionary 
in an argument. 

Finally the course of the conversation brought them to 
the subject of prayer. 

" To whom do you pray ? " asked Mowry. 

" To the Virgin Mary," was the answer. 

" Do you believe that she is capable of hearing and 
answering your petitions ? " 

" Certainly ; why not ? You pray to Christ ; and 
surely the mother is greater than the child ! " 

" I pray to Christ because he has proved his infinity ; 



164 ROMANISM. 

but the Virgin Mary is not infinite, therefore it is useless 
to pray to her." 

" What is the reason she is not infinite ? " exclaimed 
the Romanist, while his companions flashed angry glances 
at the missionary for daring to assert so great a 
heresy. 

" Gently, my good fellow ; don't begin to lose your 
• temper ; remember I did not get angry when you seemed 
to have things all your own way a few moments ago. 
We are conversing together quietly upon a great subject, 
and we must be cool and calm over it. We must be able 
to demonstrate by proof whatever assertions we make, or 
it will be of no value. Now, I have claimed that the 
Virgin Mary is not infinite, and I propose to prove it to 
your satisfaction.' ' 

The good-natured, quiet tones of the speaker averted 
the threatened storm, and the prisoner said : 

" All right ; that's fair ; we won't get mad ; but if you 
expect to prove that fact to my satisfaction, you have 
undertaken the largest job you ever attempted ! " and he 
winked confidently at his companions, who were again in 
good humor and eagerly listening for what should follow. 

" I suppose then, as a starting point, you acknowledge 
that you believe the Bible to be true in all its state- 
ments ? " 

" Yes, if you mean our (Catholic) version of it, I do. 
With the Protestant Bible I want nothing to do." 

" Well, I am speaking of your Bible, which is identical 
with mine in the description of the fact I am going to 
use. You remember, I suppose, the account of the 



THE INFINITY OF THE VIRGIN MARY. 165 

Virgin Mary and Joseph going up to Jerusalem with 
Jesus to worship, when he was twelve years old ? " 

" You mean upon the occasion when he taught the 
elders in the temple — why of course I remember it." 

" I thought you did ; well, if you recollect still further, 
when they started to go home again; the child Jesus 
remained behind ; and they had already proceeded one 
day's journey before it was discovered he was not of the 
party. Do you remember this also ? " 

" Certainly, but what has it to do with the divinity of 
the Virgin Mary ? " 

" We will come to that presently. To continue the 
narrative, you also remember that the ' Holy Family ' 
immediately returned to Jerusalem, and at once instituted 
a search for their missing son. All day long the Virgin 
sought for Jesus ; she went from one end of the city to 
the other, hoping to recover her lost boy, but with no 
result. And you will remember, too (for your Bible says 
so and therefore you acknowledge it must be true), that 
she, the Virgin Mary, spent three whole days searching 
for Jesus before she was able to find him. Is this not 
all true?" 

" Yes, so far as that goes it is ; but I ask you again 
what has all this to do with the divinity, the infinite 
character of the Virgin Mary ? " 

" This much ; if the Virgin Mary was divine, if she was 
infinite, why did she not immediately go to the Temple 
and claim her lost boy, instead of searching three days to 
find that which she could have recovered in a few 
moments ? " 



166 ROMANISM. 

The argument was unanswerable, and the Romanist 
and his companions were absolutely without a reply. 

At length the vanquished champion of popery, as a 
last resort, said : 

" After all, that does not prove your assertion. The 
Virgin Mary may be infinite at the present time. The 
divine power may have been bestowed upon her at a 
subsequent period." 

"Well," exclaimed Mowry, "I have known the Devil 
to squirm out of very small holes ; but this one is most 
too diminutive. If she had not the power to divine the 
whereabouts of her own son, and rescue him in his sup- 
posed dilemma, it is very safe to say she has never re- 
ceived the gift since that period; therefore I would 
advise you when you pray, to seek answer to your peti- 
tions of some Power, capable not alone of hearing, but 
of granting them likewise." 

Whether the seed sown in this instance ever bore fruit, 
will be known only at the Judgment day. Mr. Mowry 
never saw the young man again, but repeatedly used the 
incident with telling effect in like cases. 



TRANSUBSTANTIATION REFUTED. 

The following needs no comment ; it speaks for itself. 

The doctrine of Transubstantiation as taught by the 
Romish Church, claims the conversion, or change of 
the substance of the bread and wine in the eucharist, into 



TRANSUBSTANTIATION REFUTED. 167 

the veritable body and blood of Christ, through the con- 
secration of the priest. 

The benighted converts to the Romish faith, profess 
to hold this doctrine in absolute certainty of its truth, 
and nothing excites their ire to a greater degree than a 
contradiction of it. 

A Catholic, with whom Mr. Mowry was conversing one 
day, and who, after being forced to abdicate one position 
after another, brought forward Transubstantiation as an 
incontrovertible fact, said in a tone which plainly indi- 
cated, " Get over it if you can," 

" Well, you've, got to admit one thing, anyhow." 

" It depends upon what it is," retorted the missionary. 

" It's this. Christ said at the last supper, when giving 
the bread and water to his disciples, * This is my body, 
and this is my blood,' didn't he ? " 

" Yes, that is the substance of what the Saviour said." 

"I thought you'd have to acknowledge it," trium- 
phantly cried the Romanist, chuckling to himself as he 
continued : " And you'll admit, too, I suppose, that if he 
said, This is my body and blood, he didn't say, This is like 
my body and blood, as you Protestants want folks to 
believe." 

" I will give you an answ r er by referring you to the text 
found in the eleventh chapter of First Corinthians, 
twenty-ninth verse," said Mr. Mowry, opening his 
Bible and reading the word : " For he that eateth and 
drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to, 
himself, not discerning the Lord's body." You say the 
Bible teaches the doctrine of Transubstantiation because 



168 ROMANISM. 

of a forced construction of the passage you have quoted, 
claiming it in a literal sense to show that the eucharist 
is the very flesh and blood of Jesus. If such be the case, 
you must admit that his flesh and blood, according to 
the passage I have quoted, is, under certain conditions, 
damnation. Whether you are ready to swallow a doctrine 
which can under any circumstances whatever make Chris fs 
body and blood damnatioit, remains for you to say." 

The Romanist stood for a moment entirely speechless. 
Then, in a manner plainly conveying his appreciation of 
the position his antagonist had forced upon him, he 
slowly said : 

" Well, I guess I'll have to look into this subject a little 
bit before I say anything more," and quietly walked away, 
evidently with food for thought. 

Literalism in Bible reading and interpretation has 
wrought many dangerous consequences in the religious 
history of the world. In every age literalists have caused 
trouble and bloodshed. No bigot is so bigoted as the 
literalist. Overturning the evidences of analogy, treading 
remorselessly upon reason and common sense, the liter- 
alist stultifies himself, and seeks to bring the work of 
Almighty God down to the miserable level of his own 
circumscribed comprehension. 

It is a remarkable fact, too, in connection with this 
class of people, that while they are stringent as to the 
literal application and meaning of certain passages of 
Scripture, they are, on the other hand, equally radical in 
the looseness of their interpretation of passages standing 
in juxtaposition to them. 



THE APOSTLE PETER'S CELIBACY. 169 

It is, however, a matter of small wonder. God's word 
is verified in them. The truth in relation to it is summed 
in the words of Paul to the Corinthians (i Cor. ii. 14), 
"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the 
Spirit of God : for they are foolishness unto him : neither 
can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 

The looseness and the literalism of biblical interpre- 
tation, focus largely in the Roman Church, and conspire 
to build a fabric of gigantic proportions, both as to false- 
hood in theory and failure in practice. 



THE APOSTLE PETER'S CELIBACY. 

It is equally an astonishing and true fact, that the great 
mass of the Romish Church know nothing of the Bible 
except what the priest sees fit to read to them. They do 
not possess a copy of the Scriptures themselves, and are 
dependent entirely upon hearsay as to their contents. Mr. 
Movvry, finding it necessary upon a certain occasion to 
procure a Douay Bible, was astonished at the difficulty 
attending its purchase. He sought vainly among dealers 
and second-hand book shops, and was obliged finally to 
pay an exorbitant price for a second-hand copy. 

Gospel-worker, never fail to read the Scriptures to a 
Romanist whenever opportunity offers ! 

* % >Je :;c ^j :'/. % $ j}c ^c 

"All our theories and practices are founded upon the 
Bible," cried a Roman Catholic to whom the missionary 
was speaking. 

3 



170 ROMANISM. 

" Are you sure of it ? " quietly asked Mr. Mowry. 

" Yes, certain ; and you can't prove to the contrary." 

" Would it shake your faith in the truth of Romanism 
if your assertion was proved to be false ? " 

"What's the use of talking, you know it can't be done," 
triumphantly exclaimed the man. 

" Let's apply a simple test and see. Your priests don't 
marry, do they ? " 

" No, of course not ; the Bible forbids it." 

" Does it ? Why, your very first Pope was married ; 
and lived in open opposition to the teachings of your 
Church." 

"I deny the truth of what you say," the other angrily 
retorted. 

" Who was your first Pope ? " asked the missionary 
calmly. 

" Peter, the rock upon which the Church is built." 

" Well, my friend, if Peter was not married, how came 
he with a mother-in-law. You will find in Matthew, eighth 
chapter, fourteenth verse, the following words : " And 
when Jesus was come unto Peter's house, he saw his wife's 
mother laid, and sick of a fever." Now, either the Scrip- 
tures are false, or Peter your first Pope was a married man." 

The Romanist was effectually silenced, being obliged 
to admit that he had never known the fact before. 



WHY JOHN CAME TO MEETING. 171 



WHY JOHN CAME TO MEETING. 

Romish Charity — save of the kind which the world 
teaches should always begin at home — does not flourish as 
a green bay tree. Skilled in the extortion of money from 
the poor deluded victims of Church avarice and greed, 
the priesthood are equally skilled in retaining it in dieir 
possession. 

They instil in the mind of their people a very literal 
rendering of the exhortation " Work out your own salva- 
tion with fear and trembling," and the Church is the last 
resort to which a starving Romanist turns for help. 

The following incident explains itself : 

A young Irishman who had lately married the daugh- 
ter of a family with whom Mr. Mowry was acquainted 
in Bozrahville, was unexpectedly thrown out of work. 

He belonged to the " night gang " of the Rubber works, 
and owing to a depression in business was discharged, 
and with others found himself out of employment, with 
a young wife to support, and winter coming on. 

In this predicament he happened in at Mr. Mowry's 
store. Mowry, noticing his dejected air, said kindly : 

" Well, John, you're looking downhearted ; what's the 
matter ? " 

" Why, sir, I'm out of a job ! With winter staring me 
in the face, and no prospect of work, I can't feel very 
cheerful." 

" Oh ! there is no necessity of your having any appre- 
hension on that score ; the priest will help you, won't he ? " 



172 ROMANISM. 

" Not a copper's worth." 

" Well, then I'm sure the Church itself will see that you 
don't want ; they won't let one of their people starve to 
death, that's certain ? " 

" The Church don't support poor people in distress, and 
I could expect nothing from that quarter, even if I 
asked it." 

"Then, John, since your priest, and your Church won't 
do anything for you, I will see what I can do. Come 
and see me to-morrow morning. Good day." 

Before the time appointed, Mr. Mowry went to the 
agent of the Cotton Factory, and induced him to give the 
willing young Irishman employment. The result was, he 
was engaged for a year at a liberal compensation, and 
was overflowing with gratitude to his benefactor. 

Soon after, Mr. Mowry moved to Brooklyn, and there- 
fore had no opportunity to carry on the good work in this 
particular case as he had planned to do : but the foun- 
dation Lad been substantially laid, and was ready for the 
superstructure. 

About eighteen months afterward, the missionary paid 
a visit to the town of Bozrahville, and riding along the 
road, was met by his protege, the young Irishman ! After 
some hearty words of welcome, Mr. Mowry invited him 
to a meeting which he purposed holding that evening. 
John at once expressed his willingness to come, and when 
the hour arrived, was in his place according to his promise. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, a Mr. H , who 

was present, and who had always been an active worker 
in the Lord's vineyard, accosted Mr. Mowry as follows : 



HOW JOHN CAME TO MEETING. 173 

" I noticed John at the meeting to-night. I pre- 
sume he came by your invitation, did he not ? " 

"Yes, that is true." 

" Well, I have urged him to come for over a year, and 
never have succeeded in getting him to do so even once. 
You ask him, and he comes at the first invitation ; now 
I'd like to know the secret of it." 

" The secret is this. You asked him to come \ but as 
he did not want to comply on his own account, and you 
had never given him reason to do so on yours, he stayed 
away. I asked him to come, and though he did not wish 
to do so as far as his own choice was concerned, he ac- 
cepted the invitation because I had done him a kindness 
once, and he felt under obligation to come on my account. 
You may take it as a pretty safe rule, that where human 
nature is stubborn as to its own best good, it is yielding 
to a sense of obligation created through a favor granted, 
or a kindness done." 

" Thank you, heartily," cried Mr. H \ "I shall be 

a dull scholar if I do not profit by the lesson." 

About a year subsequently, Mr. Mowry again paid a 
flying visit to Bozrahville, and during the intermission, 
as the hour between the morning and afternoon Sabbath 
services is termed, Mr. H invited Mr. Mowry to ac- 
company him, without stating where they were going. 
He led his companion to a house, where, gathered together 
in a room awaiting their coming, were about twenty Roman 
Catholic adults of both sexes assembled to be instructed 
from the word of God. 

It was the missionary's turn to be surprised. 



174 ROMANISM. 

" Why, Mr. H , how did you ever manage to get 

all these Catholics together into a Bible class ? " he 
said. 

" Do you remember my question to you about John 

when you were here last time ? " was the reply. 

" Yes." 

" Well, I have simply followed out the advice you gave 
me then. I have made these people under obligation to 
me in the first place. I called upon them ; told my plan 
of starting a Bible-class and invited them to come. One 
said, ' I can't come, I have no clothes ; ' I immediately 
replied, ' I will furnish you with clothes;' another said, 
6 1 cannot read, no use for me to come ; ' I said, ( I will 
teach you to read ; ' another urged, ' I have no books to 
study;' I said, 'I will provide you with books.' In 
short, whatever objection or excuse was made, I removed, 
and though they did not want to come on their own 
account, they felt under obligation to me, and for that 
reason they attended. Afterwards they became inter- 
ested, and the fire burned until it was no longer a matter 
of obligation, but choice. Now they are eager to be fed 
from the living word." 

The result of this plan materially dampened the power 
of Roman Catholicism in the town of Bozrahville, and it 
all grew out of the reason that made John come to 
meeting. 



A ROMAN CATHOLIC SERVANT-GIRL. 175 



A ROMAN CATHOLIC SERVANT-GIRL. 

A subject of vital importance is treated in the follow- 
ing sketch : 

Are you doing your duty by your servants ? 

" What ! " exclaimed Mrs. Pharisee, lifting up her 
hands in dismay, "what ! preach to my servants ! Point 
them to Jesus ! Show a great interest in their eternal 
welfare ! Why, to do that I should be obliged to place 
myself on a level with them, and then what sort of 
respect would they have for my commands ? Oh no, 
my dear sir, preaching is all very well in its place, and 
IVe no doubt it would be a very good idea for somebody 
to go among that class of persons, but there should be 
reason in all things. Don't expect me to do it." And 
she enters her equipage, is driven rapidly to the doors 
of the fashionable church. She sweeps in at the open 
portal amidst the soft rustling of her costly silks, and the 
admiring glances of the fashionable elders and deacons. 
She passes up the aisle, wearing upon her countenance 
the fashionable religious smirk, with much the same 
grace that she balances upon her head the fashionable 
bit of lace and silk called a bonnet. Having at length 
reached her fashionable, high-priced pew, and having 
excited the envy, the jealousy, and the attention of her 
fashionable friends and acquaintances, she settles herself 
down in a fashionable attitude, reclining her fashionable 
head upon her fashionably gloved hand, and she makes a 
fashionable prayer \ which, being translated, would read : 



176 ROMANISM. 

" Dear Lord, I'm glad Thou hast placed me just a 
little higher than anybody else ! And I'm glad there's 
some style about me ! I wouldn't be like Mrs. Fitz So 
and So for anything in the world ! Why, her clothes are 
horrid ! No set to them — and besides I'm positive that 
overskirt is not new ! And then there's — bless me ! did 
Jennette forget to fasten that curl with a second pin ! 
How vexatious ! suppose it should drop off during 
service ! I certainly shall give that girl warning, she's 
getting altogether too careless. Time's up. Amen." 

There are too many mistresses who, in a greater or 
lesser degree, parallel the above case. They are 
"fashionable Christians," and have never known — even 
in the remotest experimental way — the joy of being 
children of God, or the pleasure of working for Christ. 
But there are, also, earnest Christian women, who are 
neglecting God's work iu connection with their servants. 
Some, from a sense of diffidence, a lack of confidence, 
cannot ^muster up courage to do their duty in this 
matter ; while others are absolutely forgetful of it. They 
work zealously in the temperance reform, or in the 
mission-school, or in some other field of gospel labor, 
but they forget their servant-girls. God is no respecter 
of persons, and the soul of the poor, ignorant, deluded 
Roman Catholic servant-maid is just as precious to Him 
as the soul of a princess of the blood royal, and if you 
win it for God, it will be as bright a jewel in your crown, 
as though it were a queen. 

Have you been neglectful in this matter ? Be so no 
longer. Let not another day expire before you shall 



A ROMAN CATHOLIC SERVANT-GIRL. 177 

have said some word for the Master in this direc- 
tion. 

In Mr. Mowry's report to the Society for the month of 
September, i860, mention is made of the conversion of a 
Roman Catholic servant-girl. 

" She resides," says the report, " in a wealthy family 
who are Protestants. They had not spoken to her on 
the subject, as they had two others of the same stamp, 
and thought it would only make them difficulty." 

Ah, yes ; here we have it ; it would result in some 
little annoyance to themselves, and so they could not 
speak on the subject. What shall be the result at the 
Judgment day when this flimsy excuse is offered for your 
neglect ? Afraid of trouble for Jesus ! Ah, lady reader, 
was He afraid of trouble for you. How self steps 
between the soul and heaven ! How the comfort of the 
flesh defrauds the Spirit of His rightful joy ! 

One day, continues the report, this servant-maid came 
to her mistress and acknowledged that she was very 
unhappy. Upon being interrogated, she explained the 
cause of her trouble as dissatisfaction with her spiritual 
condition. When a child, she had been made a mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church, but as she grew older, 
and began to think for herself, she became conscious 
that she was not a Christian, and that her religion did 
not bring her any comfort. In this state of mind, she 
was urged by a radical Romanist, in whose house she 
was living at the time, to join the Romish Church. Said 
this woman : " You will never be any better, or find any 
peace until you unite with the true (R. C.) Church." 



178 ROMANISM. 

Thinking perhaps it might be as she was told, the 
poor girl took the woman's advice, and became a mem- 
ber of the Romish Church. 

" I joined it last winter," she said, " but I am no 
better satisfied than before. I wish some one would tell 
me what to do. " 

The mistress called Mr. Mowry to her aid, and the 
following day he paid the girl a visit. The burden of 
her enquiry was, what must I do to be saved and be 
happy. 

" Christ alone can save you, my girl, and He alone 
can make you happy," explained the missionary, as he 
unfolded the precious promises of God to those who seek 
salvation through the blood of Jesus. 

The following morning Mr. Mowry called for her, and 
took her to a morning prayer-meeting which he was in 
the habit of conducting at that time. As they walked 
along to the place of worship, he said to his companion : 

" You will be a stranger at the meeting, and no one 
but ourselves and God will know that I am talking to 
you in everything I shall say there." 

At the close of the exercise, she took Mr. Mowry by 
the hand, and thanked him for what had been said, as 
she felt greatly profited by it. She hastened home, 
and was soon questioned by the other domestics as to 
the number of people at church, supposing she had 
attended their usual place of worship. Her first thought 
was, " I will not let them know where I have been," 
so she replied there were not many present, without 
saying anything further about it. But the thought came 



A PRIEST'S IDEA OF SOUL PERIL. 179 

to her, " I am doing wrong in deceiving them ; I will 
tell the truth." Accordingly she at once said, " I have 
not been to our old church ; I am no longer a Roman 
Catholic. I have left them forever." 

Mr. Mowry called again the next day, and, meeting 
the gentleman of the house, was warmly welcomed. 

" I want to tell you what I saw yesterday afternoon 
when I got home from church," said his host. " I found 
Mary (the girl) sitting at the feet of my wife, and they 
were both of them weeping, and blessing God for what 
she had found — not a church, but Christ." 



A PRIESTS IDEA OF SOUL PERIL. 

It is not altogether astonishing that the defenders of 
the Romish Church fail to substantiate their theories by 
the revealed word of God. Even with their garbled 
% Bible they cannot prove the position they assume. God 
speaks to man so plainly that whatever is not of Him, 
though it may deceive for a time, and may blind the 
ignorant, is nevertheless doomed to destruction with 
those things which are the work of An ti- Christ. 

On a Friday morning, as Mr. Mowry was walking along 
one of the streets in search of a poor family whose case 
had been given to him as worthy assistance, he happened 
to pass a Roman Catholic Church. In the grounds be- 
longing to it paced a priest slowly back and forth. As 
the gate was open, the missionary, intent upon sowing 



180 ROMANISM. 

the seed of the kingdom, entered and accosted the other 
with a polite " Good morning to you." 

Near by was a Protestant industrial school, where poor 
children were clothed and fed, as well as instructed in 
the elements of learning. It had long been an eye-sore 
to the Romanists, who looked upon it with especial dis- 
favor as an encroachment upon their territory. 

The priest returned the missionary's greeting with 
civility, and as an evidence that his mind had been oc- 
cupied with the Protestant school, he immediately pointed 
towards it, and exclaimed : 

" Don't you think it's too bad to peril the souls of those 
poor children by giving them meat on Friday ? " 

" Peril their souls ! Why, you have exactly reversed 
the theory of the Bible on that point ! Peril their souls 
by eating meat on Friday ! Why, you forget that Christ 
said, 'Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a 
man ; but that which cometh out of the mouth ; this de- 
fileth a man. # # # Do not ye yet understand that 
whatsoever entereth in at the mouth, goeth into the belly, 
and is cast out into the draught. But those things which 
proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart, and 
they defile the man.' " 

The priest was so completely nonplussed, he stood 
without reply, and could not be induced to enter into any 
further discussion on the subject. 



SAVING FAITH, FROM A ROMISH STANDPOINT. 181 



SAVING FAITH, FROM A ROMISH 
STANDPOINT. 

A somewhat similar incident is as follows : 

A noted Roman Catholic priest preached a sermon 
upon a certain occasion from the text "Ye are saved 
through faith.' ' His discourse, which was two hours in 
delivery, went to explain what Faith was, and what it was 
capable of doing for the soul of the believer. He finally 
shaped his argument to show that the faith necessary to 
salvation, was faith in the Roman Catholic Church. At 
the conclusion of his sermon, he said, if there was any one 
present whom he had failed to convince, he would be glad 
to have that person call upon him the following morning, 

at the house of Father O'N , where he was stopping 

(being a stranger in the city) for the time being. 

Mr. Mowry, who had gone to hear him at the earnest 
solicitation of a Catholic woman with whom he was labor- 
ing, accordingly presented himself at the priest's door the 
next morning, and enquired for the Jesuit who had 
preached the night before. He was ushered into the 
presence of the person he sought, who was apparently 
enjoying a quiet conversation, in company with four 
other priests. 

Mr. Mowry at once announced the object of his visit, 
and the discussion immediately began. To use the mis- 
sionary's characteristic words in relating the incident, 
u The fur flew for an hour, I can tell you ! " 



182 ROMANISM. 

One after another, the priests got up and retired from 
the room, until he was left alone with the Jesuit. 

" You have tried to show that the faith which pleases 
God, is faith in the Romish Church ! If you will look at 
the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, you will see a very 
complete list of Old Testament heroes who pleased God 
by their faith long before the Romish Church existed. 
And it is my opinion, if Enoch and Noah, and Abraham 
and Moses found favor with God, by reason of their faith, 
two thousand years before the Romish Church was born, it 
has very little claim upon the sole proprietorship of this 
saving grace." 

The Jesuit was silent; he had received the coup de 
main. 



CHAPTER VI. 

TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 



u Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, 
shall inherit the kingdom of God." — i Cor. vi. 10. 



THE sketches chosen for this chapter, are selected 
from an innumerable number of such instances 
which have accumulated in the experience of Mr. Mowry 
during his half-century of Christian work. 

The cause of Total Abstinence always laid very close 
to his heart, believing, as he did, that rum is one of the 
most powerful of Satan's angels, and responsible for 
more misery and crime than every other cause com- 
bined. 

During the eighteen years of his life as a merchant in 
Bozrahville, he never sold any spirituous liquors. In 
those days it was esteemed ridiculous to argue in favor 
of temperance. Almost every one denounced total ab- 
stinence as an attempted usurpation, and an infringement 
upon the liberty of the private citizen. Its adherents 
were treated with cold condescension at best, and in many 
instances suffered a great deal of annoying, petty perse- 
cution on account of their principles. Mr. Mowry was 
no exception to this rule ; he kept the only store in a 
tract of country five miles square ; but in eighteen years 
lost some two thousand dollars which he had saved 
from his blacksmithing, besides the money left him by 



184 A RECRUITING OFFICER RECRUITED. 

his grandfather and various relatives. When he closed 
his business, his credit was good for fifty thousand 
dollars, but his ready means and personal property 
would scarcely have footed up as many cents. Men 
refused to trade with a storekeeper who wouldn't sell 
rum. What a revolution in public opinion since that 
hour. Praise God for the temperance wave that is 
sweeping with resistless power across this broad con- 
tinent to-day! Would to Him that the Church took 
a deeper interest in this matter ! Speed the time when 
no human being shall be allowed to enter into fellowship 
with the visible church of Christ, who tastes, touches, or 
handles this unclean thing ! 

Mr. Mowry's work in the city of Brooklyn alone, will 
give some idea of the extent of his labors in the cause of 
Temperance. 



A RECRUITING OFFICER RECRUITED. 

" What is the matter with him ? " asked Mr. Mowry, of 
a friend who desired he would call upon a certain man. 

"Well, the truth is, he drinks too much liquor,'' was 
the reply. 

" That is rather an indefinite answer, because in my 
opinion, if he drinks any at all, he drinks too much. 
How is he affected by the poison ? " 

"He spends the greater part of his time in liquor 
saloons, and his money is transferred to the till of the 
rumseller about as fast as he earns it. Often his wife is 



TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 185 

searching for him 'till midnight. When sober he is a 
man of intelligence, and were it not for the curse of 
rum, they would be as happy a couple as there is in 
Brooklyn." 

Mr. Mowry paid the visit, and found the family occu- 
pying the third floor of a very respectable house, in a 
quiet neighborhood. Knocking at the door, he was in- 
vited by a voice inside to enter. He did so, and con- 
fronted the man he sought to benefit, who said : 

"You have the advantage of me, I do not know 
you." 

" Well, I guess we are about even on that ground, for 
I don't know you, but I made up my mind unless I came 
to see you, we should never get acquainted. " 

" Why should you wish to know me ? " asked Mr. 
L , with no little curiosity displayed in his expression. 

" I'm a recruiting officer, and am in search of recruits," 
was Mr. Mowry's reply. 

His wife, who had just entered the apartment, ex- 
claimed : 

"It's rather remarkable for two recruiting officers to 
get together." 

" So you are in the recruiting business, eh ? " cried 
L . 

"Yes, that is my business, sure enough," answered 
Mr. Mown\ 

" How long have you been in it ? " 

" Twenty-five years or more." 

"Why, how's that? I did'nt know there was anybody 
in it before the Rebellion ? " 



186 A RECRUITING OFFICER RECRUITED. 

" Oh yes ! you're mistaken ; there have been some in 
it ever since the first rebellion." 

" What bounty do you pay ? " 

"Oh, the bounty pays a hundred-fold down — insures 
their lives, and gives them an eternal inheritance when 
the war is over.'' 

" W-h-e-w-wh ! well ! that goes ahead of my price, 
by a long figure ! Where do you make your head- 
quarters ? " 

" Usually at any place where I find a man to be re- 
cruited, but to-night, at 8 p. m., No. — DeKalb Avenue, 
near Fulton Street." 

" Well, by jingo ! I'll be there ; for I should like to 
see how you do things in your way." 

It was the stormiest night of the season, and Mr. L 

did not come, though his wife afterward said he walked 
the floor all the evening, and would have gone, but thought, 
on account of the weather, " the office " would not be open. 

The next day Mr. Mowry called upon him, and asked 
him if he was ready to be recruited. 

" Well, I'll confess I don't know what you are up to. 
If you will explain yourself, I'll tell you quick enough 
what I will do," he cried in open amazement. 

a Certainly. I'm raising recruits for the tee-total army, 
hoping that each one, after proving themselves good 
soldiers in that division, may be transferred to the army 
of the great Captain of our salvation, the Lord Jesus 
Christ." 

" To come down to a fine point, then, you are trying 
to get folks to sign the pledge ? " 



TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 187 

" Yes, that is why I came to see you." 

"Well," losing all interest at once, "I do not see anv 
necessity 7 for it; I'm not a drunkard, and when I get so 
that I cannot take care of myself, I will sign that docu- 
ment." 

'* Do you think your argument sound and good ? " 

<; I don't see why not." 

u I will tell you why not. You say when you can't take 
care of yourself, you will / Now I tell you the exact re- 
verse is the truth ; w T hen you can't, you will not. Besides, 
you know the old saying, one ounce of prevention is worth 
a pound of cure." 

" Do you mean to tell me I am in danger ? " 

"Yes, every one is in danger who uses such kind of 
stimulants. It is running a terrible risk." 

" Nonsense ! did you ever see me drunk in your life ? " 

u No, I have never seen you drunk ; but I have seen 
you the worse for liquor ; worse, in that you are not as 
good a man, not as tender a husband, not as worthy a 
citizen, as you would be if you never used liquor as a 
beverage. All these faults may be summed in one word, 
you are not a Christian, and all, doubtless, because you 
are what is called a moderate drinker. If I am wrong, 
say so. If your course is the safest and best, continue 
on; if not — you being judge — sign the pledge, and be 
true to it as long as you live." 

He stopped, thought a minute, and impetuously seizing 
a pen, cried : 

"You are right — give me the pledge, I will sign it ! " 

He did so, and they parted ; the one to his work for 



188 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

the army of the Union, and the other for the army of 
the Lord. 

It may be well to add, that Mr. Mowry did not know 
at the time of his first visit, that he was going to see a 
recruiting officer, and the use of the word as an introduc- 
tion, was purely providential. 



THE RULING PASSION STRONG IN DEATH. 

As a rule, a man dies as he lives. If he has lived to 
God's glory, he dies in glory ; if he has lived in sin and 
shame, he dies in despair and gloom. Press home this 
truth. 

In Mr. Mowry's native village, at one time, lived six 
wealthy men, each of whom, strange to say, held the rank 
of Captain in the State militia. During a revival of re- 
ligion, all of them, with a single exception, became deeply 
interested in the movement, and their new-found joy led 

them to yearn for the conversion of Captain B , who 

was seemingly proof against every influence. Each of 
the five in turn called upon him and urged the cause of 
salvation ; but alas ! the effect of their visits only made 
him the more determined to set religion at defiance. The 
longer they pleaded with him, the harder he drank, until 
finally, sober moments were a novelty in his experience. 
But his five brother officers gave him but little reason to 
doubt their sincerity in the matter, and continued to labor 
unremittingly with him, in the interest of his soul. 



SAVED BY GRACE ALONE. 189 

At length he declared no amount of money could induce 
him to remain in a place where everybody had gone mad 
about religion, and he would sell his valuable farm 
at a sacrifice, rather than be compelled to listen any 
longer to their harpings on the subject. 

His threat was speedily carried out, and he moved 
West, with his entire family, " Where," said he, " I can 
do as I please, without anybody's interfering." 

Some years after, during the infidel's last sickness, the 
pastor of the church from the far-off Connecticut village, 
happened, providentially, in the vicinity of Captain 

B 's place, and determined to pay him a visit, hoping 

to find a change in his ideas upon the subject of 
religion. 

He made his way to the bedside of the dying man, and 
saw — what? A fellow-creature in the last agonies of 
death, and within easy reach of his hand, at the head of 
his bed, a barrel of whiskey on tap, from which, as long 
as he was able, the miserable man drank the poisonous 
liquon He died as he had lived, an outcast from his 
God — a miserable slave to rum ! 



SAVED BY GRACE ALONE. 

The blessed denouement in the following instance leads 
one to besiege anew the throne of heavenly grace for 
mercy upon the drunkard. 

During the spring of 1859, Mr. Mowry was called to 



190 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

attend the funeral of a mission-school scholar. He was 
a promising lad of thirteen; the joy and hope of his 
mother, and a favorite with all who knew him. 

His father had been a police officer in two cities, 
yet was one of the most brutal inebriates under the curse 
of rum. 

At the funeral of his promising boy, he was so terribly 
intoxicated, that his presence in the room was impossible. 

At the close of the exercises, his poor wife, dread- 
ing to take him with her to the place of burial, and 
still more fearful of leaving him behind, reluctantly 
consented to have him conducted to the carriage. 
Accordingly two gentlemen, by main strength, lifted the 
besotted man into the vehicle, while the bystanders 
looked on with disgust and indignation. Oh, it was a 
terrible sight ! No words can describe the anguish and 
mortification of the bereaved mother ; and the friends 
who were present sympathized with her deeply in her 
two-fold trial. 

Some thought the man might be led to see the error of 
his ways, through this stroke of affliction, and turn to- 
ward right living and sobriety; but the effect was exactly 
the opposite. There had been a slight restraint before, 
but now all sense of shame seemed to have forsaken 
him, and his condition grew rapidly from bad to worse. 

There remained, finally, no course to pursue save to 
have the man arrested and dealt with by the law. 

This was accordingly done, and he was sentenced to 
imprisonment in the penitentiary for six months. 

When his term of service had expired, he resolved to 



SAVED BY GRACE ALONE. 191 

go to the West, and start anew. Crossing the East 
River to take the Albany steamer, the desire to see his 
wife and children once more, took strong possession of 
his mind. 

Ah, yes, the future did look dark to him ! Ruined in 
purse and reputation, destitute even of a good name, he 
felt terribly alone, and resolved once more to seek his 
wife and children before he left for the West. 

Retracing his steps, he sought the woman he had 
wronged, and the children he had neglected, but his 
welcome was pitilessly cold. The wife had borne so much 
from him, that her heart was hard, and she requested 
him to go where he would, so he but left her in peace. 
Permission for a night's shelter, even, was denied, and he 
went out into the world more friendless, more dejected, 
more miserable and forsaken, than before his visit. 

But he felt that he could not blame her. He acknowl- 
edged, w T ith remorse, the bitter truth that it was all his 
own fault ; that the wife who had once loved him so 
fondly, was estranged through his own ill treatment; 
that the children, who had never known a father's love, 
could not be censured for their indifference. 

Yes, he alone had done it all, and rum had been the 
cause. 

As he left the house without even a thought as to 
where he should sleep, he wandered aimlessly from street 
to street. It was early in the evening of the Sabbath 
day, and the bells were calling saint and sinner to 
assemble in the places of worship. Presently he came 
upon a church brilliantly lighted, and throngs were 



192 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

pressing in to hear the word of God. The thought took 
possession of him "Go thou and do likewise," and 
though he would fain have passed on, the invitation of 
the Friend of sinners stood before him, " Come unto me, 
all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you 
rest." 

He hesitated no longer, but entered the sanctuary, 
and taking a position out of sight in the gallery, listened 
to the message as it came from the lips of God's 
servant. 

The subject of the discourse was " The Gospel, the 
remedy for sin and its consequences." Like a magic 
balm the words came with soothing power to his bruised 
and sin-laden soul. " What ! is there peace for such 
a wretch as I ? Can it be possible that this message 
is to me — that I can be forgiven and accepted of 
God ? » 

The minister announced a service for the following 
evening, and with hunger for more of the blessed word, 
the man resolved to attend it. He found a place to pass 
the night, and all the next day waited eagerly for the 
hour of gathering to arrive. 

It came at last, and with it the invitation to " Come 
to Jesus." 

The famine was sore in his soul ; but there was plenty 
at the Father's table. Yes, he would arise and go to the 
Father, and seek forgiveness and pardon and peace. 
He would be, by God's help, from that time forward, a 
consistent, earnest Christian. 

Again he went to his wife ; he told her the story of 



SAVED BY GRACE ALONE. 193 

his conviction, and begged her to forgive him, and be 
reconciled. 

"My God has forgiven me against whom I have 
sinned more grievously than against you ; can not you 
forgive likewise ? " 

" Can such things be ? " thought the poor suffering 
woman ; and yet chere was that in her husband's words 
and manner altogether different from anything she had 
ever seen there before. Could she believe him ? Could 
she trust the evidence of her own senses ? How often 
had he promised reformation before ! how numerous had 
been her acts of forgiveness, and yet they had always 
been abused I The promises had been broken, and con- 
trition had always been followed by speedy relapse and 
ill-treatment. But now, something seemed to say, 
" Trust him once again." She placed her hand in his, 
and looking him in the face said solemnly : " I will try 
you just this once." 

She had never been a professing Christian, though a 
good moral woman ; but gladly accompanied him to the 
next meeting of the church he had visited. 

The invitation was extended for those desiring to 
commence life in God's service, to come forward for the 
prayers of God's people. Both husband and wife knelt 
at the foot of the altar, and there in sweet consciousness 
of forgiveness of sins, together passed from death to life, 
united in one at last 

They immediately commenced life anew; all the old 
difficulties were banished, and they were happy in the 
Lord. 

9 



194 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

A little more than two years afterward, as Mr. Mowry 
was visiting the soldiers encamped at the Park pending 
transportation to the seat of war, he noticed a fine-look- 
ing man whose face seemed familiar, but whose identity 
he could not place. 

The other was in the same predicament. 

"Have I not seen you at the jail?" inquired the 
missionary. 

" Have I not met you at the penitentiary," asked the 
other. 

"I have never been at the penitentiary," answered 
Mowry. 

" Nor I at the jail," said the stranger ; " but I think I 
remember now where we met. It was at my boy's 

funeral — you recollect, do you not, Mr. D 's in C 

Street ? " 

" Yes, yes, very well ; are you that man ? What has 
wrought the great change in your appearance ? " 

" The grace of God," was the reverent answer ; and 
then he related the facts as given above, testifying with 
meekness to the truth of scripture, Where sin abounded 
grace does much more abound. 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 

Close attention is especially requested to the following 
incident : 

Upon one occasion, when Mr. Mowry was seeking 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 195 

converts to the cause of temperance, he asked the pro- 
prietor of a store to sign the total abstinence pledge. 

"No sir," was the answer; "I don't think I ever 
shall." 

" Why not? " queried Mr. Mowry. 

" Because I am no drunkard, and don't see any 
necessity for it." 

" A very poor reason, sir ; there's not a drunkard in 
the land to-day but could have said the same thing with 
truth at some former period of his life. They did not 
see any danger at the time, but it existed neverthe- 
less." 

" Well sir, there is no use talking any more about it ; 
I will not sign the document you propose." 

Mr. Mowry, from the manner of the other, decided it 
would be wiser to say nothing further of a personal 
nature at that time, and gave the conversation a more 
general character by remarking : 

"There may. be some person in whom you are inter- 
ested who is in danger, ?.nd who would be benefited by 
taking the course I have suggested." 

" Yes, that's so ; there is my brother-in-law, if you can 
get him to sign the pledge, I will do what I can to help 
you." 

" What are the circumstances of his case ? " 

"Well, he's the best man I ever had in my business, 
and yet the worst. I can neither get along with him, 
nor without him. He has a wife and three children — the 
youngest of which, five years old, he has never seen. 
He is completely under the power of rum." 



196 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

"What do you mean by his never having seen his 
five years old child ? " 

"Why he left his wife and went away, just before the 
child was born." 

" What, deserted them ! and at such a time ! " 

" Yes, ran away to sea, and was gone three years, 
during which he neither wrote them a word, nor sent 
them a penny. They were obliged to go home to her 
mother's, who has taken care of them ever since. He 
came back from his voyage when the three years had 
expired and has been with me until the present time, 
now at work, now drunk, and apparently beyond the 
reach of reform ation." 

" Has he made no effort, during the two years he has 
been with you, to see his wife and resume his position as 
the father of his children ? " 

" Oh, yes, repeatedly ! but the mother-in-law will not 
let him see his wife, and is rigidly against any effort 
looking to their reunion. And, as far as that's concerned, 
I don't blame her much." 

" No, nor I either," was Mowry's sententious reply. 

" Well, you've got the facts of the case, and if you can 
by any means bring about a change in his habits you 
will do more than I expect." 

"God alone can do that. I will make the effort 
to influence him and leave results to Him," said the 
missionary, promising to attend to it at once, and taking 
his departure. 

The course adopted by the man whom he just left, was 
the subject of Mr. Mowry's thoughts, as he passed along 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 197 

the streets on his errand of mercy. He was ready to 
see the benefit of taking the pledge in the case of his 
brother-in-law, but with himself it was a vastly different 
thing. He was a man of some moral stamina \ in no 
sense dominated by indulgence, and was able to govern 
his appetite at any and all times — in short, he was a 
man ! But the other — poor wretch — had no will of his 
own, one sip was the precursor of glass after glass ; 
moderation was something unknown to his vocabulary ; 
he was not to be trusted ; in short, he was a sot. 

People carry out this same idea in relation to giving 
themselves to the Lord. How many mothers — how many 
fathers — are anxious and active in securing their children 
a place in the Sunday-school ; who insist upon their 
being instructed in the truth of the gospel, and yet never 
give the eternal welfare of their own souls a moment's 
thought or attention. They think perhaps that they 
do not need it, being able to take care of them- 
selves. Often the reason is a purely selfish one ; they 
are conscious, in their own hearts, that something is 
lacking — that they need Christ — but they know, also, that 
having Christ means giving up the world, the flesh, and 
the devil. It means not only renouncing the devil (oh 
yes, they are ready at any time to do that) but likewise 
all his works, and just there the shoe pinches. So they 
content themselves with talking religion to their children 
and friends, and practicing the opposite in their own lives. 

They " do not think it wise " for So-and-So to use 
tobacco, or drive a fast horse, or play billiards, or go to 
the theatre, for it might lead him astray, but as for them- 



198 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

selves — well, they are " seasoned/' and not to be 
infatuated. 

Ye short-sighted hypocrites ! No infatuation is so 
dangerous as your own ! Do ye reckon upon making 
your peace with God when at length the vanities of the 
world have palled upon your satiated appetites ? Listen 
to the voice of God to such as have made a like calcula- 
tion. 

" Because I have called and ye refused, I have 
stretched out my hand and no man regarded ; * * * 
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when 
your fear cometh. *.'*■* Then shall they call upon 
me, but I will not answer ; they shall seek me early, but 
they shall not find me." 

Such were the reflections of the missionary as he 
hurried along, and at length arrived at his destination, 
which proved to be a store and dwelling combined, in a 
somewhat unfrequented quarter of the city. 

Upon entering, he found several young men congre- 
gated there, and among them one whose appearance 
tallied sufficiently with the description he had received, 
to identify him as the person he sought. Paying no 
particular attention to him, he addressed some of the 
others — evidently men of the same course of life — and 
began, in a guarded manner, to feel his way towards the 
introducing the subject of temperance. The oppor- 
tunity was at length afforded, and he strenuously 
advocated their signing the pledge then and there. His 
efforts were not rewarded with success, however, and the 
others soon went away to seek more congenial quarters, 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 199 

leaving the man in whom Mr. Mowry was interested 
behind them. 

We might pause in the story just here to note the 
hand of Providence in their departure and his remaining. 
People often say "well, that was lucky, wasn't it?" and 
even professing Christians are frequently heard to re- 
mark, this and that happened " by the merest chance." 
It would be more in accordance with their calling, and 
with the truth, if they were to say " was it not provi- 
dential?" It is time the world should be awakened to 
the truth that ?iothing ever happens by chance ! The over- 
ruling Providence of Almighty God is manifested in 
every detail and circumstance, whether in the moral or 
physical department of life. Nothing escapes the fore- 
knowledge of God, nothing comes to pass without his 
permission. 

"Well, my friend," said the missionary, addressing 
the man, "those men are a pretty hard lot, I guess?" 

" You're right ; there's not many in Brooklyn harder," 
was the reply. 

"They made a great mistake when they refused to 
sign the pledge, did they not ? " 

" Maybe so and maybe not; there's many a worse 
thing done in the world than drinking." 

"There may be acts committed whose immediate 
effect is worse, but there are none whose results in the 
long run bring so much misery and wickedness to pass. 
But what particular act had you reference to ? " 

" Well, I'll tell you what ; I'm a married man, and yet 
I'm not allowed to see my own wife and children, and I 



200 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

drink on account of it, and as long as they keep us apart, 
I'll keep on with my rum." 

" A rather peculiar story, friend ; who is it prevents 
your seeing your wife and little ones ? " 

"Oh, my mother-in-law, an infernal old hag ! " 

" What right has she to do it, unless you have in some 
way forfeited your claim upon your family ? Have you 
always done your duty by them ? " 

" Well, you see some time ago I took a notion to go to 
sea." 

" Did your wife know you were going ? " 

"No, she didn't exactly know it till after I'd gone," 
he answered, reluctantly. 

" Well, there's wrong doing on your part to begin with ; 
did you try and right it by sending her word where you 
were, and money to support herself and family till your 
return ? " 

" No, I didn't have no time to write," replied the man 
doggedly. 

" What, no time to write after deserting your wife 
without saying a word to her about it ! Pray how long 
were you gone ? " 

"Oh, some time," answered the other, evidently 
making up his mind to keep that to himself. 

" ' Some time ' is rather indefinite ; was it two weeks, 
three weeks, three months, or three years? What do 
you mean by ' some time ' ? " 

At length he acknowledged, after some sharp cross- 
questioning, that he had been away three years, and had 
utterly failed to provide for his wife ; that since his return 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 201 

he had never sent her any money because she wouldn't 
live with him. 

"Then, if I understand you," exclaimed Mr. Mowry, 
fixing his gaze upon him steadily, " you think that keep- 
ing a wife and children from starvation, when her 
husband runs away, and is gone three years without 
doing anything for them, is a worse crime than drinking 
liquor and getting beastly intoxicated. You have told 
me all I need in order to judge what sort of an individual 
you are, and I not only endorse everything your mother- 
in-law has done — according to your own story — but I tell 
you plainly, if you had treated a daughter of mine as 
you have treated hers, I would have you placed behind 
the bars of a prison cell, where you properly belong." 

The man hung his head in shame, feeling the honest 
indignation of the other to be a righteous judgment. 
But the devil is always ready with an excuse. And right 
here let us remember, in waging war against this arch 
enemy of the soul, that he never sleeps — never ceases to 
hover around the soul even to the last moment of our 
existence on earth. There are those who have been 
accustomed to look upon the devil as an inmate of hell ; 
they picture him sitting upon a burning throne in the 
realms of the damned, directing the affairs of his king- 
dom. This is a mistake. There is no worker i?i this world 
more industrious than Satan. He never ceases by night 
or day to plan and execute some movement against the 
cause of Almighty God. He is omnipresent on the earth. 
This does not necessarily mean omnipotent, but the fact 
that Apollyon is constantly in attendance, alike upon 



202 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

saint and sinner, is indisputable. He is always waiting to 
take advantage of the slightest laxity on the part of his 
foes, and does not wait for them to grow careless. 
He presents temptation after temptation, seeking to 
furnish, by hook or by crook, some inducement for men 
to give ear to his words. There is not a more terrible 
truth in the Bible, than is contained in the thought of 
Paul in the fourteenth verse of the eleventh chapter of 
Second Corinthians, " For Satan himself is transformed 
into an angel of light." Ah yes, believer; he comes to 
you also, and he pretends to teach Christ ; and he 
counterfeits so closely the blessed truth, as it is 
in the Son of God, that unless you are protected by 
the everlasting Arms of Love and Power, you will be 
entrapped and ruined. You will be deluded in the 
possession of the spurious coin ; when you present your 
passport at the gate of the Eternal City, it will be pro- 
nounced a forgery — a clever one 'tis true, but neverthe- 
less a forgery. Then let me caution you to put on the 
whole armor of God. You will find that there is not one 
portion of the harness that can be dispensed with, all is 
necessary to the presentation of yourselves blameless 
before Him in the day of His coming. 

Now, in the case of this poor man, he was ready to 
acknowledge in his heart that he had done wrong ; that 
he had transgressed the laws of God, and violated every 
usage of civilized humanity, when the devil whispered 
in his, ear, " Hold on ! what are you going to do ? 
You're not half as bad as they try to make out ; better 
think twice before you acknowledge it." So he said, 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 203 

turning to Mr. Mowry with a simulation of injured 
innocence, "Well, suppose I did do wrong, and acted 
mean in going away without saying a word to my folks ; 
how do they know but I've reformed since then, and 
would do what's right by 'em now ? " 

"The best proof of that is in your daily life ; you are 
constantly mingling with those who fear neither God nor 
man ; you are drinking and spending your time in riotous 
living, and knowing this, do you suppose any one is going 
to believe whatever assertion of reformation you may 
choose to make ? " 

" Well, if I had my wife and family back, I'd stop all 
that sort of thing. I don't do it because I love it." 

" Stop it first, and then what you say may have some 
force with others." 

For some few moments neither broke the silence which 
followed ; at length, 

" Can you come here on Saturday night ? " asked the 
man, as if some sudden thought had taken possession of 
his mind. 

" Perhaps I might if I imagined you would be benefited 
by doing so," answered Mr. Mowry. 

u I don't make no promises, mind you ; but you just 
come here Saturday night — that's all I've got to say," 
he cried. 

There was a new light beaming in his eye wbich 
bespoke determination to carry out whatever plan he had 
conceived, although he did not reveal what it was ; and 
the missionary bid him good day, satisfied the visit would 
not prove altogether barren of results. 



204 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

On Saturday night he went to the place of meeting, 
and there found, not only the man he sought, but several 
of like stamp, whom he had brought with him for the 
purpose of signing the pledge together. This, then, 
was the thought which took possession of him; he 
would lead a better life, and not only would he begin 
by giving up rum himself, but he would induce his 
comrades to do so likewise. The immediate result we 
have seen. How far those young men were true to the 
promise they made, is known only to God, but in the 
case of the one in whose story we are more particularly 
interested, a radical change not only in his appearance, 
but in his behaviour likewise, was the effect of a few days 
of total abstinence. Mr. Mowry called upon him from 
time to time, encouraging him in the good way, and 
sowing here and there, as opportunity offered, the seeds 
of salvation. Gradually his eyes were opened to the 
sin and guilt of his previous course ; and the Lord sent 
him the question, " What shall I do to be saved ? what 
shall I do to retrieve the past ? " 

"To the first question," replied Mr. Mowry, " I answer 
in the words of holy writ, ' Believe on the Lord Jesus 
Christ and thou shalt be saved ; ' as to the second interro- 
gation, there is but one course to pursue ; leave time and 
your daily record to plead your case with the ones 
you have so deeply injured. Prove by your life that you 
desire to undo, in some measure, that which has been 
done. If you will take my advice, you will select some 
neighboring church, and be regular in your attendance 
there. Seek earnestly to acquire a knowledge of God's 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 205 

forgiveness ; for all wrong-doing is sin against God, and 
He alone is able to forgive and blot out the past, impart 
grace for the present and strength for the future. Having 
made your peace with Him, it will be a light matter, 
comparatively, to make your peace with them." 

He agreed to accept the advice, and act upon it, and 
accordingly selected a Methodist Church near by as 
being the one with which he would identify himself. 
Mr. Mowry learning this fact called upon one of the 
leading members of the organization and requested him 
to take especial interest in the awakened sinner, which 
he gladly promised to do. 

Let us note an important point just here, viz.: the 
necessity for perseverance in the Lord's work. Oftentimes 
we enter upon gospel work with great avidity \ we make 
a grand fight against the enemy's line of entrenchments, 
and, going in the power of God, are enabled to drive 
the foe over his own earthworks, and plant the banner 
of victory upon the captured fortification. Then we 
raise a glad shout of triumph, and sit down to enjoy 
the victor's reward. But the enemy is not conquered ; we 
have not become masters of the field. We have only 
taken the advanced outworks, and he has retreated be- 
hind a second line of fortifications, stronger and more 
impregnable than the first. If we would win the fight 
for God, we must follow on and on, over every succeed- 
ing line of retreat and entrenchment, until finally the 
standard of the Lord Jesus Christ floats over the entire 
battle-ground, Lord of all! But if we are fighting for 
ourselves, we may just as well stop at the end of the first 



206 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

skirmish line as anywhere else, for our work will amount 
to nothing in the end. We may succeed in tormenting 
the enemy a little, but, after all we have but put him on 
his guard ; have merely taught him to fortify himself 
more strongly in the future ; thus, instead of permanently 
injuring or crippling him ; we have unwittingly done him 
a great kindness, in teaching the lesson of vigilance. 
How many Christian workers content themselves with 
routing the enemy in the first and second line of works, 
and then pass on to another battle field ! Had Mr. Mowry 
left this man at the time of gaining the first step, who 
shall say what the result would have been on his after 
life. Experience rarely does things by halves. 

The awakened man was finally converted to God, and 
found consolation in the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

One day, after becoming established in his Christian 
experience, having been accepted as a member of the 
church and uniting with it, he came to Mr. Mowry, and 
begged him to use his influence toward bringing about a 
reconciliation with his wife and family. 

"Tell her that by God's grace I am a different man," 
he said, " and that I will make her a good husband, and 
prove a father to her children.'' 

Mr. Mowry accepted the undertaking, and called upon 
the family. In answer to his summons a fine-looking 
woman came to the door, and stood waiting his 
mission. 

" Is your given name Mary ? " queried the missionary. 

" Yes, it is, why do you ask ? " demanded the woman, 
in no small wonder at the question. 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 207 

" Did you ever know a man by the name of 
George ? " 

" To my cost," was the curt reply ; " what now ? " 

He was invited to enter, and before another word was 
said she went out of the room, returning a moment 
later with her mother, who immediately took the initiative. 

" I suppose you have come here to get my daughter to 
go back and live with her husband ; if you have, I w r ant 
to tell you youVe made a mistake ! she shall never go 
back to him with my consent ! " 

" Well, madam, I have said nothing to your daughter 
about returning to him ; but having heard one side of 
the story I became somewhat interested to hear the other 
side also." 

" If that's what you come for, I can give it to you in 
full." 

And without waiting for any further invitation, the old 
lady related the circumstances of the case with a dramatic 
effect, which left but little hope in Mr. Mowry's mind 
that she was to be moved by anything he was able to 
present in the man's favor. It was also noticeable that 
Mary felt keenly her position of dependency in the 
maternal household and was ready to say more in 
his behalf than her mother would do ; and, without 
doubt, would willingly go back if she could be assured of 
his change in principle and practice. This was con- 
veyed more by her manner than by direct words ; but 
the mother was unrelenting. 

" I suppose you would have no objection to his reforma- 
tion ? " asked Mr. Mowry of the old lady. 



208 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

"Oh no, as far as that's concerned, although I 
shouldn't have any faith in it, were it to take place," 
she answered. 

" Well, I do not blame you for so thinking, nor do I 
regard it as being strange," said the missionary; and 
thus having gone as far as his judgment dictated, he took 
his departure, leaving a pleasant impression behind him. 

"Well, Mr. Mowry, what's the result?" asked the 
husband, when they met. 

"Nothing to be discouraged at," was the reply ; "of 
course your mother-in-law would be glad to know of your 
permanent reformation, but you must convince her that 
such is the fact, by quietly pursuing the even tenor of 
your way for a time. Your wife is evidently glad you 
are doing better ; but George, here you are, over thirty 
years old, with nothing laid by to support a wife if you 
had one. Now, take my advice and begin to put your 
earnings in the savings-bank, and then, when the time 
comes, you will be in a condition to assume the responsi- 
bility of the head of a family." 

He did so, and became studiously attentive to his 
business, laying by all that he earned above the amount 
necessary for his own support. Though he never saw 
those toward whom his heart yearned, still he felt that 
he was working for them, and that in God's time, they 
would be given back to him. 

The missionary continued to encourage him ; he was 
faithful to his religious duties, and grew in the knowledge 
of salvation. Finally, in the providence of the Almighty, 
as he was one day seated in a street car, his wife, whose 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 201) 

voice he had not heard in years, entered the vehicle. 
Their eyes met. 

" Mary ! " 

" George ! " 

Their fellow passengers saw little food for wonder 
in the greeting; but oh! what a world of intensity 
breathed in the utterance of those two names ! In each 
heart the recollection of the past was forgotten in the 
joy of their present meeting, and they went together to 
the home of her sister who lived near by, and as far as 
they were concerned their difficulties were settled, 
and the sister encouraged them to look to a speedy 
reunion. 

But the mother proved obdurate. She had taken her 
daughter and her children home, and had cared for 
them during five long years, and she could not bring 
herself to risk a repetition of her daughter's former 
experience. She had no faith in the reformation of her 
son-in law, and resolutely turned her face against him, 
saying : 

" Mary, you must choose between us ; if you take up 
with that man, you need never darken my door again." 

And thus matters stood; Mary yearning towards the 
father of her children, yet fearing to break her mother's 
heart. 

The sister, . however, remained their stanch friend. 
But her sympathy was only for a season, for she was 
taken ill, and after a short period of suffering drew near 
the confines of the dark valley. When death was at 
hand, and her relatives were summoned to her bedside. 



210 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

the mother knowing that George was in an adjoining 
room, said : " Mary, call him in." When he came in 
answer to her bidding, she reached across the bed, 
placed her hand in his, and her dying daughter smiled 
and passed away. 

All those immediately concerned now looked upon the 
reunion of the long separated man and wife as a settled 
fact. But, like Pharaoh, the mother had seemingly given 
consent while under the rod of Almighty God, and when 
the solemnity of the occasion had vanished — when the 
daughter had been laid away in the grave — she hardened 
her heart, and refused her consent to the union. 

When it became evident that her prejudice was not 
to be removed, George decided upon other measures. 
He hired a neat house in a pleasant location ; furnished 
it in part, and, after an agreement with his wife as to the 
best mode of procedure, sent to the house of the mother- 
in-law one day during her absence, and removed every- 
thing in it belonging to his wife, and took herself and the 
children to their new home. 

When his mother-in-law returned, she at once questioned 
the servant-maid as to what had occurred. Upon learning 
the truth of the matter, she became intensely indignant, 
and resolved to break off all relations with her daughter. 

She immediately took a smaller dwelling and had her 
household goods removed to it ; but on the way there fell 
and broke her arm, which resulted, finally, in necessity 
compelling her to live with the daughter she had firmly 
resolved never to countenance again. She continued 
to reside with her son-in-law until the day of her death, 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 211 

some years afterward, and with all her prejudice was 
obliged to acknowledge that George had indeed reformed, 
and that he was an exemplary Christian. 

For seven years the happiness of that family was un- 
broken ; apparently nothing of their own doing would 
ever bring sorrow to their hearthstone again, and they 
were confident and happy — none more so than George 
himself. 

How often in experience meetings men rise and testify 
to the entire removal of some particular appetite ! they 
say, u I used to be a drunkard, but since my conversion 
the appetite for liquor is all gone; v or "I was addicted 
to the use of tobacco, but since my conversion the appe- 
tite for it has been entirely removed — it's absolutely gone.'*' 
Such expressions are of common occurrence, and are 
born either of ignorance, self-confidence, or a pernicious 
tendency to overstate the truth. 

A man may say truthfully, " I used to smoke and chew 
tobacco, but since my conversion the Lord showed me it 
was my duty to give it up, and although it had become 
almost a second nature to me, His grace has enabled me 
to overcome the desire for it, until I no longer have the 
slightest wish to indulge in the practice ;" or a man may 
say with equal truth, " Since God has enabled me to quit 
drinking, I have been given grace sufficient to overcome 
the habit so completely that I am unconscious of any in- 
clination or desire for liquor." 

Either of these statements might be strictly true, but to 
claim that the appetite, whatever it may be, has been en- 
tirely removed, is to assert, in sense if not in words, " I 



212 TEMPERANCE SKETCHES. 

know that if I live to be as old as Methuselah I shall 
never be troubled with this habit again." It is placing 
yourself on a par with the Almighty in point of foreknowl- 
edge, and finds its exact parallel in the case of Peter, 
who was perfectly positive that though all men should 
forsake his Lord, yet he would prove faithful. Peter's 
self-righteousness received a very severe check : " I 
say unto thee, before the cock crow thou shalt deny 
me thrice." We make no doubt, had Peter said to 
Jesus, "Lord, thou knowest I desire to be true to thee, 
and I am going to trust to thy help to keep me faithful 
even in the most trying circumstances," we make no 
doubt but Christ would have said to him, as the Lord did 
to Paul, " my grace is sufficient," and poor Peter would 
have been saved the bitter tears he shed over his own 
miserable downfall. 

Reader, if Almighty God is giving you grace to over- 
come any old habit of long standing, if His grace so 
abounds toward you in this particular that you are enjoy- 
ing complete exemption from all desire regarding its 
gratification, tell of it to those around you ; give Him 
all the glory and thanksgiving for His mercy, but do not 
assert more than you know. Rather have faith in Him 
who has begun a good work in you that He will continue 
it to the end. 

In the incident we are giving, George, after living a 
life of complete Christian enjoyment in his home and 
family for seven years, was led, through the prescription 
of the family physician, to take liquor as a medicine. It 
awoke the slumbering appetite which he had supposed 



SAVED AS BY FIRE. 213 

dead, and for a short time a perfect reign of terror was 
the result. Who shall picture the utter despair of Mary 
when the truth came home to her heart ! Was the old 
life to recommence ? Had these seven happy years been 
given them, like the seven years of plenty in the time of 
Joseph, to be followed by seven more, breeding famine 
and pestilence ? 

Here we must leave them in the hands of God, for the 
end is not yet. At the time of writing this article they 
are still in the land of the living, and their mission as yet 
unfulfilled. But He who doeth all things well, and who 
tempereth the wind to the shorn lamb, has their destiny 
in his keeping. The future lies with Him, to whom be 
all honor and glory forever. Amen. 



CHAPTER VII. 
BY THE WAYSIDE. 



"And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us while He 
talked to us by the way, and while he opened to us the Scriptures ?"— Luke 
xxiv. 32. 



OVER the door of a much frequented corner rum- 
shop in one of the thoroughfares of New York 
city is a large sign bearing upon its surface in golden let- 
ters the legend, 

As we journey through life let us live by the way. 
The proprietor of the place, in causing that sign to be 
painted, doubtless intended it for an invitation to passers- 
by to pause in their journey and quaff some of his wares. 
We will venture to say that beyond the thought that it 
was a hale-fellow-well-met sort of an expression, he never 
realized that his sign was a very fair orthodox sermon, 
furnishing an exhortation, and in the application of 
its meaning, a grave lesson to every human crea- 
ture. 

Dear gospel-worker, you can have no better motto. 
Life is a journey, and your standing in the future de- 
pends materially on how you are living by the way. 

By the way ! Ah ! what a great difference it made to 
the poor man who was fallen upon by thieves, how they 



BY THE WAYSIDE. 215 

who came passing by, lived by the way. First came a 
certain priest — one to whom the highest offices of the 
Temple were committed, and who should have exempli- 
fied in his daily walk in life, in his journey by the way, 
the holy influences by which he was constantly surround- 
ed, and by which he should have been dominated and 
controlled. But alas ! he was a hypocrite. Professing 
the name of Jehovah, he was a stranger to Him : wear- 
ing the garments of an anointed of the Lord, he was false 
at heart, and a child of Satan ; so he passed by on the 
other side, leaving the poor man to die. 

Then came likewise a Levite on the road to Jericho — 
one also set aside for the work of the Temple — a pro- 
fessor of religion — one accustomed to the precepts of the 
Holy Scriptures — a tithe-taker, receiving benefits at 
God's hands constantly ; and how did he live by the way ? 
How did he exemplify the mercy of God revealed in man ? 

Like the priest, he too passed by on the other side, 
leaving the poor victim to die. 

Reader, have you pondered those terrible words of our 
Saviour in reference to such as these ? He says : 

" Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall 
enter the kingdom of heaven \ but he that doeth the will of 
my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that 
day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, 
and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in thy name 
done many wonderful works ? And then will I pro- 
fess unto them, I never knew you : depart from me, ye 
that work iniquity." 

Are you perhaps a minister of the Gospel ; between 



216 BY THE WAYSIDE. 

your own soul and God let this question be answered : 
how are you living by the way ? Are you preaching the 
living Jesus as you journey along through life ? Not 
merely by scholarly expositions of disputed passages ; 
not merely by orthodox disquisitions upon Gospel tru- 
isms ; not merely by having a form of godliness ; but are 
you so rooted and grounded in love that charity pos- 
sesses your soul and overflows upon every side, dropping 
the fruits of holiness as you pass along ? 

" By their fruits ye shall know them," said our Lord, 
and though your presence in the pulpit may be eminently 
grave, dignified, and priestly ; though your language may 
be choice, your gestures proper, your oratory unexception- 
able ; though your doctrine may be uncontrovertible, your 
analogy pure, and your deductions forceful ; though you 
may pass muster with your congregation and be regarded 
as a model of godliness, you may yet, in God's sight, be 
passing by on the other side of the way. 

Doubtless the priest of the parable was perfect in his 
service in the Temple before the eye of the people ; but 
when no one but God saw him, how miserably he failed 
to put in practice the blessed instructions which Israel's 
God had given, and which he, in turn, gave to the 
people ! 

Ah ! brothers sisters, one and all, how are you living 
by the way ? 

Remember your calling. Christ says, "Ye are the 
salt of the earth ;" again, " Ye are the light of the world." 
And bear in mind, too, the command, tf Let your light so 
shine before men that they may see your good works and 



BY THE WAYSIDE. 217 

glorify your Father which is in heaven. Not that good 
works are acceptable to God in and of themselves only, 
but because it is impossible to perform them save as the 
spirit of the living God dwelling in us furnishes us to 
every good work. Thus God sees in us not the works merely, 
but the spirit which prompts them — Christ in us the hope 
of glory — ever acceptable to God, who has said, " This is 
my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased/' 

Therefore, dear gospel-worker, as you journey through 
life let your light— the light of Christ in you — shine by 
the way. 

Preach Jesus everywhere. Preach Jesus every way. 
Preach Jesus at all ti?nes. Then, in the day when you 
shall stand before the judgment- seat of Christ, you shall 
hear the glad tidings, "Inasmuch as ye have done it 
unto the least of these ye have done it unto me." 

Remember that it is ever God who giveth the in- 
crease, but you are to sow the seed. He is ever faithful 
to His work ; you will be held accountable for the 
strict fulfillment of the part allotted to you. Work by 
the way ; as you go be ever on the alert to point some 
perishing soul Zionward. You may never know in this 
world the results of your labors; but what matters it? 
In the great day of settlement there will be a glad 
surprise for you. The Lamb of God shall point to those 
who have come up out of great tribulation, lighted 
perhaps for the first steps of the journey by you. Then 
you will learn what the harvest has been. Then you 
will be able to see the ripe grain from the seed that you 
sowed. Then you will receive a cn?wn whose jewels will 

IO 



218 BY THE WAYSIDE. 

be more precious than diamonds, and whose glory will be 
everlasting. 

Yea, reader, 

" As we journey through life let us live by the way, " 



THE UNGRATEFUL BEGGAR. 

In passing along the crowded streets of a large city, 
how frequently the profane word shocks the ear. Gospel- 
worker, never fail to stop and speak a word for Jesus 
with the blasphemer. 

One Sabbath morning, as Mr. Mowry was crossing 
Washington Park, Brooklyn, he noticed a group of four 
or five young men gambling. Their dress and general 
appearance betokened connection with wealthy, if not 
pious families. At first Mr. Mowry was tempted to pass 
by without reproving them, thinking of the words, " Cast 
not your pearls before swine ; " but remembering, also, 
how often this passage is quoted as an excuse for shirk- 
ing a disagreeable duty, he determined to sow the seed of 
truth, leaving God to give the increase. 

"Good morning, young men ; I should like to tell you 
a short story, if you have no objection." 

" All right, not the slightest," was the answer, as they 
stopped their game, and waited for what might follow : 

" A very good and benevolent man, travelling by him- 
self on the highway, was accosted by a poor wretch who 
asked for assistance. He told a very plausible and 
pitiful story, and so worked upon the sympathies of the 



THE UNGRATEFUL BEGGAR. 219 

gentleman, that he drew his purse from his pocket, and 
finding it to contain seven dollars, gave the mendicant 
six of them, reserving but one for himself. The beggar, 
seeing the remaining piece, determined to possess it also ; 
and, entirely unmoved with gratitude for the generous 
act of his benefactor, waited until the gentleman turned 
to go, when he felled him to the earth with a powerful 
blow, and robbed him of the coin. Now, I should like 
to ask you what your opinion of that beggar is ? " 

"Why, he ought to have been hung," said one. 

" Pshaw ! hanging's too good for such a scoundrel ! " 
cried another, and each one coincided in the sentiments 
expressed by these two. 

" Well," said Mr. Mowry, quietly, " I'm glad you are 
all of one mind as to the fact of the man's meanness 
and guilt in robbing his best friend, but there is not 
much choice between you. God, in his sympathy and 
love, has given each one of you six days in every week 
in which to carry on the work of life for your profit 
or amusement; but, not satisfied with his goodness 
and munificence, you have robbed Him of the seventh 
day also, and that, too, in the meanest way, by gambling 
and profaning His holy name." 

One after another began to hang his head in shame, 
and Mr. Mowry, offering his hand to each in turn, said, 
as he bid them 'good day,' — 

" Remember, if we never meet again, that God, the 
great Benefactor, has said, ' Six days shalt thou do all 
thou hast to do, but the seventh is the Sabbath of the 
Lord thy God.' " 



220 BY THE WAYSIDE. 



WHAT IS HARDER THAN THE DIAMOND. 

As the result of a word by the wayside, the following 
incident furnishes food for reflection. In your work for 
the Master, learn to accommodate your application of 
divine truth to the exigency of the moment. It is the 
secret of power and must be given you of God. 

Soon after Mr. Mowry came to Brooklyn to reside, he 
was led to seek out a young man who had formerly been 
employed by him in Bozrahville, but who had found a 
more lucrative position as head clerk of one of the largest 
manufacturing firms in New York City. 

After inquiring about his health, and congratulating 
him upon his brilliant prospects, Mr. Mqwry added : 

"But, Samuel, how about the keen edge of your 
religious life ; how is it with the soul ? " 

"To tell the truth, Mr. Mqwry," was the reply, "I've 
lost the keen edge, just as yqu told me I should unless 
I continued faithful to the means of grace. But I have 
just taken the superintendency of a mission Sabbath- 
school, and I am going to strive earnestly to regain my 
lost ground." 

Mr. Mowry learned from further questioning that his 
friend was the only professor of religion among all the 
clerks — numbering between thirty and forty — employed 
by the firm, and he determined to speak a word for the 
Master if the opportunity offered, before leaving. 

It was speedily afforded. A young man was busily 
engaged, at a work-bench close by, in cutting glass into 



WHAT IS HARDER THAN THE DIAMOND. 221 

small squares for daguerreotype frames. Stepping up 
to him, Mowry asked in a quiet, interested tone of 
voice : 

" What do you use to cut glass with ? " 

"Why a diamond of course," replied the clerk, with- 
out looking up. 

" Well, why don't you take a pine stick for the 
purpose ? " 

The query was apparently so absurd that the young 
man looked up to see what manner of individual could 
ask such a foolish question. He was somewhat aston- 
ished to see a tall, quiet, gentlemanly stranger, with a 
perfectly earnest countenance, gazing at him. 

" Pine stick indeed ! You know as well as I do that 
it's not hard enough ! " 

" Is that diamond, then, the hardest thing you know 
of?" 

"Yes, it is," testily replied the young man, beginning 
to think Mowry was poking fun at him. 

" Well, you are mistaken, my friend ; I know of some- 
thing, in your possession, as much harder than that 
diamond, as the diamond is harder than a pine stick." 

" I should like to know what it is ? " 

" Your hard heart" was the unexpected reply, as Mr. 
Mowry turned away and walked out of the establish- 
ment. 

For a moment the young man gazed after him in 
undisguised amazement, and then, without a word, 
resumed his task. But with the first scratch of the 
diamond over the polished surface of the glass, con- 



222 BY THE WAYSIDE. 

science cried in his ears, " Your heart is harder than 
the diamond." With every subsequent cut, his soul 
rung with the words, "Your heart is harder than the 
diamond." 

He essayed to laugh it off ; to reason himself out of 
it ; he made up his mind to think no more about it, but 
the voice of awakened conscience would not be still. 

All that day the thought burned its way into his soul 
deeper and deeper. He could endure it no longer ! He 
felt he must have relief or become crazed. He inquired 
who Mr. Mowry was, and where he could be found; 
but could only learn that he resided in Brooklyn. He 
determined to visit the city and seek him out, and was 
upon this avowed errand, when they met in a providential 
manner, upon the public thoroughfare. The interview 
which followed, resulted in his conversion. He went on 
his way rejoicing. Soon after he gave up his clerkship, 
entered the ministry, and has since been instrumental in 
the conversion of many precious souls. 



THOSE OF OUR RELIGION DON'T COMMIT 
MURDER. , 

A great work remains to be done among the Jews, and 
the following little incident is the more gratifying from 
the fact that a soul of his chosen people acknowledged 
him as the true Messiah. 

Passing along the street one day in a quarter of the 



THOSE OF OUR RELIGION DON'T COMMIT MURDER. 223 

city inhabited principally by Jews, Mr. Mowry noticed a 
number of very pretty, black-haired children playing in 
the courtyard of one of the houses. He spoke kindly to 
them, and began sowing the seeds of life in their little 
hearts, when a woman, whose face plainly indicated her 
Hebrew origin, came out of the house in great haste. 

"See here! what are you doing ?" she cried; "we 
don't belong to your religion, and don't want you talking 
to our children !" 

" You would not find fault if I were to save your child's 
life because I didn't belong to your religion, would you ?" 
queried Mowry. 

" Well, I guess their lives don't require your services 
just now," retorted the woman ; " they look pretty com- 
fortable as they are." 

" You say you don't belong to my religion ; well, what 
have you got to recommend yours ?" 

" Well, one thing, anyway ; our people never murder 
anybody, and that is more than you can say of the Gen- 
tiles." 

"You're mistaken, my good woman, when you say 
your people never murder anybody. I know 7 of one case 
at least where you Jews murdered a man in cold blood !" 
cried Mr. Mowry. 

" Tis false ! You can't prove it !" was the excited reply. 

" Oh, yes ! I can prove it ; his name was the Lord 
Jesus Christ ; perhaps you have heard of him." 

The woman looked at the missionary for a moment, 
and then, without another word, turned and went into 
the house. 



224 BY THE WAYSIDE, 

Some years afterwards the same woman came up to Mr 
Mowry in the street, and recalling the incident we have 
just given, said : " I thought you might be interested in 
knowing that I am one of your religion now. Yes, 
I have taken the man the Jews murdered as my 
Saviour." 



FOR THE SAKE OF THE LOAVES AND 
FISHES. 

Men establish rules in relation to the acceptance 
and discussion of religious truth, which they would 
never tolerate in business or in any other emergency of 
life. 

A quiet rebuke similar to that detailed in the following 
incident is often extremely salutary in its effect, and many 
times frequently results in opening the door for a deep 
and lasting work of grace. 

The first duty of the leader of a storming party is to 
ascertain the vulnerable point in the fortress he is 
about to attack. Any other course would prove him 
an incompetent officer, and likewise imperil the lives 
of all under his command. So with the Christian 
worker ; the first duty is to discover the weak point in 
the deviFs fortification, and, using all energy to break it 
down, rush through the breach, and rescue the soul for 
God. 

One of the leading men in the State of Connecticut, a 
wealthy merchant of the city of N , H by name. 



FOR THE SAKE OF THE LOAVES AND FISHES. 225 

had long resisted every effort made by family and friends 
for his soul's salvation. Pompous in manner, and as- 
sisted in his perversity by a fine education, he was en- 
abled to overcome whatever argument was presented 
in favor of religion, and the advocates of Christianity 
were often obliged to retire discomfited and disheart- 
ened. Finally they began to feel that it was no further 
use to say anything to him, and they resolved to leave 
him to God, who alone could bring him to see his lost 
condition. 

One day Mr. Mowry, who had been a customer of this 
man for a number of years, entered the store to buy a 

bill of goods. Providentially he found Mr. H alone, 

and behind the counter in person. After giving him an 
order for goods amounting to a considerable sum of 
money, Mr. Mowry said : 

" Mr. H , I have traded with you for a great many 

years, but to-day the opportunity is presented for the 
first time for a quiet conversation upon a subject of as 
much importance to you as to me." 

" Is that so ? What may it be, pray ?" asked the other 
crisply. 

" The subject is the eternal welfare of our immortal 
souls, and I cannot conceive a matter of greater moment 
to either of us." 

"Ah! that is your opinion, Mr. Mowry, and you are 
doubtless honest in it 3 but you will be good enough to 
observe that, as far as I am concerned, you are privileged 
to keep it to yourself," was the reply. 

" You are mistaken, Mr. H ; I am not privileged to 



226 BY THE WAYSIDE. 

do anything of the kind. I have no choice in the matter. 
Christ says to me, " Go into all the world, and preach 
the gospel to all men ;" therefore I am under obligation 
to do His bidding, for the servant is not greater than 
his Lord." 

u Now see here, Mr. Mowry, we may just as well come 
to an understanding upon this matter first as last. You 
are one of those persons who conceive it to be their duty 
to go about among their fellow-creatures, thrusting their 
opinions perforce down other people's throats. I do not 
countenance that kind of thing myself. I do not believe 
in the doctrine you teach in the first place, and I will not 
tolerate this mode of presenting it, in the second place. 
Moreover, I give you to understand that we are not 
beholden to the people of another town for instruction in 
religious truth. If we want any information upon such 

matters we can get it at home \ " and Mr. H leaned 

back against the shelving apparently satisfied that Mr. 
Mowry had been silenced for once in his life, if never 
before. 

" You Ire not beholden to people of another town for 
religious conversation and instruction, eh ?" repeated Mr. 
Mowry quietly. 

" Exactly, sir ; that is what I said." 

" Well, Mr. H , as I remarked at the beginning of 

our conversation, I have traded with you a number of 
years ; during that time I have paid you a great many 
dollars ; but as you are not under any obligation to me 
for religious instruction, and I am under no obligation to 
trade with you any further, sir, the next time I come to 



fk THE VERY STONES CRY OUT AGAINST YOU."' 22? 

Nonvich to buy a bill of goods I presume I can be suited 
elsewhere;" and, bidding him good day, Mr. Mowry 
turned to go out. 

" Stop ! stop ! Mr. Mowry," cried the merchant, " I see 
I've been too fast. I'll take it all back. Ill take it 
all back ." 

Like many others, he was ready to do for his pocket what 
he was not ready to do for his soul. 



'THE VERY STONES CRY OUT AGAINST 
YOU." 

How often do the inanimate things of earth speak les- 
sons of wondrous power to the human soul ! How often, 
too, are they used to convey an illustration of the hidden 
things of God, which through their instrumentality are 
made plain and clear. Be ready in your work for God 
to draw assistance from everything His hands have 
formed ; making the rocks to praise Him, and the rills to 
glorify His name. 

Noticing a man busily engaged in measuring the dimen- 
sions of a number of large slabs of stone, Mr. Mowry 
stood watching him for a moment, and said : 

" You are taking very careful measurements, my friend ; 
may I ask why you should be so very particular ? " 

" Well," said the man, "you see I've got a contract to 
deliver so many slabs of stone, of such a size and such a 
thickness. The party is very particular, and unless they 



228 BY THE WAYSIDE. 

are every one just so he would break the contract, and I 
should lose a good job." 

"That is a weighty reason. You are careful because 
negligence would be a matter of no little loss to you ; but 
now may I ask, if you are as particular about measuring 
for that other Master-builder ? " 

" Who's that? this is the only contract I've got at 
present ? " 

" You're mistaken, my friend ; you are working every 
moment of your existence for the great Builder of the 
Universe and of Heaven ! He, too, calls upon you to 
be very painstaking in your work ; and will certainly 
refuse to accept it unless you rigidly comply with the 
conditions he has furnished." 

"Oh, as far as that goes, I haven't done much 
measuring on that line," replied the man. 

" What ! is the exactness of a few slabs of comparatively 
worthless stone of more value to you than the eternity 
of your immortal soul? Can you, dare you, be so 
particular about the one, and so heedless about the 
other ? " 

The stranger's attention was arrested, and inviting the 
missionary to proceed with him to his office, he gladly 
heard him on the subject of his soul's salvation. The 
incident resulted in his conversion, and he was led to 
praise God that the very stones had cried out against 
him. 



A STATELY MANSION. 229 



A STATELY MANSION. 

Sketches of like character as treated by this portion 
of the book, might be multiplied almost indefinitely, 
but we will close with the one which follows. The object 
is to impress upon the reader the necessity of accommo- 
dating himself to circumstances. As you journey by the 
wayside, use everything which presents itself to your view 
for one sole purpose, viz.: to glorify God. "So shalt 
thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed." 

It was a sultry summer day. The sun's rays came 
pouring down with overpowering heat, and the missionary 
was glad to stop as he passed along the hot pavements, 
to rest a few moments beneath the grateful shadow of a 
fine shade-tree. 

As he was about resuming his walk, he noticed 
a gentleman standing near who appeared to be greatly in- 
terested in the construction of a fine residence in course 
of erection on the opposite side of the way. From the 
steadiness of his inspection, it was plain his interest 
in the building was more than the ordinary curiosity of a 
passer-by. 

Accosting him in a kindly manner, Mr. Mo wry inquired 
what particular feature of the work so riveted his atten- 
tion ? 

" Oh," said the stranger smilingly, " I am putting up 
the building, and was looking to see if I could improve 
its appearance in any way." 

"Then, as I suspected, you are the owner of it, 



230 BY THE WAYSIDE. 

and hence your anxiety to see it well and faithfully con- 
structed.' ' 

" Yes, that's so ; and I suppose you'll agree with me 
that there's no harm in doing things well," was the reply. 

" Certainly I shall agree with you ; but, which is of far 
greater importance, God himself agrees with you, for he 
teaches us to do everything to his glory, even to the 
seemingly unimportant matter of eating and drinking, 
and if we do so it is bound to be done well." 

The gentleman looked at the missionary with no little 
surprise, but manifested no desire to reply to what had 
been said. Mr. Mowry continued : 

"I notice it takes a great many hands to put up 
your dwelling; and though their work is done deftly, 
yet your house has had its beginning, and it will have 
its end. The solid masonry will crumble away, those 
well-seasoned timbers will rot and decay, and some time 
or other the edifice upon which so much labor and money 
is being expended will be an unsightly ruin. " 

" It will last a great deal longer than I will, I guess," 
laughingly replied the stranger. 

" That may be, but I cannot help reminding you of a 
mansion not made with hands, whose builder and maker 
is God, eternal in the Heavens. Have you any interest 
in that building, my friend ? " 

" I suppose I have," was the answer. 

" What reason have you for supposing so ? " 

" The same that any man has, who is honest with his 
fellow-men, and treats them as he could wish to be 
treated in return." 



A STATELY MANSION. 231 

"Is this the only ground you have for your sup- 
position ? " 

" Why do you ask ? can you give me a better one ? " 

" Not only a better one, but the only one which can 
give you any title to a home over there." 

" If there's a better reason for a man's going to Heaven 
than the one I gave you, I should like to hear it." 

" You shall, sir ; it is this : Regeneration, or, as it has 
been termed, 'the new birth.' Christ said, 'Except a 
man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of 
Heaven. Are you conscious of having been born again, 
of being dead unto sin, and alive unto righteousness ? " 

'• Well, no ; I can't say that I am." 

u Then sir, your claim to the mansions which He is 
preparing for them that love him, is worthless. Your 
hope is entirely groundless, and unless God, in his 
mercy, converts your soul, and enables you to accept 
Christ as your personal Saviour, you can never have part 
or lot in the glory of the redeemed." 

The interest of the stranger was becoming deeper and 
deeper with each word ; but at this juncture, he was called 
across the street to attend to some matter of direction, 
and excusing himself took his leave. Whether or no his 
title was ever perfected, will be discovered by the 
missionary at the last great day, for they never met 
again. 



CHAPTER VIII. 
AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 



"None considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to 
come." — Isaiah lvii. 



MURMURING against the Providences of Almighty 
God began in the Garden of Eden, and has 
continued down to the present hour. It can scarcely be 
wondered at in the lives of those who do not acknowledge 
the government of the Gospel of Peace ; but that Chris- 
tians, who have openly taken upon them the yoke of 
Jesus Christ, should fret and complain at the chastise- 
ment of God, is a significant fact pointing to the 
necessity of sanctification in the heart. 

Much has been said and written upon the subject of 
sanctification which cannot be substantiated by the word 
of God, and we desire to state plainly that we are not in 
sympathy with any line of teaching which seeks to estab- 
lish a personal righteousness or sanctification of the 
flesh. Christ "who of God is made unto us wisdom 
and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption " 
(i Cor. 1-30) is the only righteousness and sanctification 
we can possibly have, and He is all we need. 

Therefore in speaking of the necessity of sanctification 



AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 233 

in the heart, we do not refer to any " second blessing " 
(?), but we advocate an apprehension of God which 
shall be so clear and complete experimentally that the 
soul can acknowledge with truth, "All Things work 
together for good to them that love God.*' 

That word "all" is very comprehensive. It includes 
every possible experience in the life of man. Nothing 
is left out in its wide-reaching grasp. From the most 
insignificant circumstance in the every day routine of 
business or household care, up to the most important 
and momentous reality with which we are called upon to 
cope, all is for our good — permitted of God, and the 
direct offspring of Love unspeakable. 

Do you realize it ? Has the dear Lord given you to 
know this experience ? 

How many know it theoretically ! Perhaps you are 
saying to yourself, " Yes, of course I know it. It's in 
the eighth chapter of Romans, and everybody who calls 
himself a Christian, knows the eighth chapter of 
Romans." 

Would to God they did. Not as being one of the most 
wonderful chapters of the New Testament. Not as 
being so often referred to, and quoted and commented 
upon. Not as teaching a high grade of Christian 
experience. But would to God, all who name the name 
of Jesus, knew it as true of themselves ; knew it by 
an act of revelation through the Holy Ghost • knew it 
as the only qualification for eternal happiness and peace 
in the great Hereafter. Would that they knew it as 
corresponding with the witness of the Spirit in their own 



234 AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 

souls ; knew it as that realization of Christ in us, for 
which He laid down His life, — the abiding life ; the life 
of submission to the will of God ; the life hidden with 
Christ in God ; do you know it as a blessed, restful, soul- 
sustaining, all pervading reality ? 

"Ah!" you sigh, "who can have such an experience 
as this ? Why, it would be heaven itself ! " 

Yes, dear reader, you are right ; it is heaven in a sense. 
Heaven in that heaven is the abode of those whose joy it 
is to do the will of God ; heaven, because heaven is a 
place of rest, and calm, and peace ; heaven, because it is 
heaven where Christ is ; heaven, because God dwells 
there ; because the experience is the verification of our 
Saviour's own words, " My Father will love him, and we 
will come unto him, and make our abode with him" 

" Who can have such an experience ? " you ask. Nay, 
but rather ask, who, in view of God's willingness to give 
it, can be without such an experience ? 

Oh with what a tenderness of reproach come the words 
of Christ, " How often would I have gathered ye to- 
gether as a hen gathereth her chickens together under 
her wings, but jy<? would not" 

Paul says, " We speak the wisdom of God in a mys- 
tery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before 
the world unto our glory, which none of the princes of 
this world knew." 

Here is the trouble, dear reader. If you do not realize 
the truth of God's word, it is because you are as the 
princes of this world. You have not yet placed the Red 
Sea between you and the abomination of the Egyptians. 



AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 235 

If the abiding life of sanctification is not your experience 
and testimony, you are not pleasing in the sight of God, 
and the god of this world is robbing you of your privilege 
in Christ. 

The difference between a cowardly soldier and a brave 
one is never shown in the dress parade. It becomes, 
however, strikingly apparent when the roar of artillery 
and the ominous shriek of the shell, mingle their terrible 
sounds with the groans of the wounded and dying. 
It requires no careful analysis of character to discrim- 
inate between cow r ardice and bravery on the blood- 
stained field. And so, in some measure, it is in the 
lives of Christians. It is sometimes difficult to decide 
between theoretical and experimental Christians under 
the ordinary pressure of life, — more especially so if the 
lines have fallen to the former in pleasant places. 
But let the hand of Almighty God fall in like heaviness 
upon them, and oh, how quick you may distinguish the 
true child of grace ! How in'the one case there will be 
dignified Christian calmness, sweet resignation to the 
chastisement of a loving God, an humble bending of the 
neck to the blow of love, an inward consciousness, out- 
wardly displayed, that it is for good, and only one of the 
number included in the "all things" of Jehovah. While, 
on the other hand, there will be terrible chafing under 
the restraint; open faultfindings with the decrees of 
the Omnipotent; a total lack of sustaining grace; a 
pitiful failure to realize the blessedness of the assurance, 
that our light afflictions for the present work out for us 
a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 



236 AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 

Christians know that sanctified affliction begins to work 
out that glory from the hour of its birth in the travail of 
chastisement. 

Every soul which accepts unmurmuringly the " all 
things ' of God, has experienced the beginning of that 
" far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," and 
advances, step by step, in the consciousness of the glory, 
as affliction after affliction, trial after trial, testing after 
testing, establishes its confidence in God. Having re- 
ceived from Him strength according to the day, it goes on 
in the divine life from glory to glory, even unto the per- 
fection of His coming, when we shall arise in his like- 
ness. 

There are thousands of dear struggling souls all through 
tliis broad and beautiful land who allow God to be semi- 
sufficient for them. They accept the " all things " so far 
as the temporalities of life are concerned ; they give them- 
selves to the pruning and purging of God up to a certain 
point, and then, when called upon to submit fully to the 
will of God, they cry, as did some of the disciples of old, 
" This is a hard saying ; who can hear it ?" 

"Ah, yes," says one man, "I am willing to give up 
the pleasures of the world which have fascinated me for 
years ; I am willing to throw all vices overboard ; I am 
willing to renounce everything which is contrary to God's 
law, but don't ask me to say Amen with peace and calm- 
ness when death robs me of my children. " 

And the mother says, " Oh you don't know how close 
we have been living to God ; you don't know how we have 
dedicated our home and everything in it to Him, and 



AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 237 

how we have expended time and means in the effort to 
carry the gospel into the dark places of the earth ; and 
then to think that He should take our darling away from 
us ! Oh, is it just ? Is it loving ? Have we deserved 
it?" 

And so they murmur at the " all things " of God. For 
death is His, and life is His, and WHATSOEVER IS, 
is His. 

Has He seen fit to take away a dear one ? Praise 
Him for the love which prompted it. 'Tis crucifixion to 
the flesh, and if accepted in the spirit of willingness, will 
work out its attendant weight of glory. 

Question not the rulings of Almighty God, but accept 
them. 

Have you yielded all else to him ? Give this likewise. 
It is the chain which binds you fast to earth ; it is the 
barrier which sets itself between your soul and the abid- 
ing presence of the Beloved. Christ must be all and in 
all before the peace which passeth understanding can 
become a perfected experience in the human soul. 

Let us mention one more point before we pass to the 
incidents selected for this chapter. 

It is the custom among many who call themselves God's 
little ones to adore the memory of the dead, and treasure 
inordinately the mementoes of their earthly life. Gospel- 
worker, discourage this practice to the full extent of the 
power God gives you. Do not let human sympathy 
delude you into shirking your duty in this respect. 
" Thou shalt have no other gods before me," saith the 
Lord of Hosts, and though the dear one was sainted while 



238 AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 

on earth, even with the augmented glory of his present state 
he is not God, and the worship of saints is but idolatry. 

Whatever usurps the place of God in the heart of man 
is an idol, and must be overthrown before the soul is 
fitted for the reception of its rightful tenant. 

The desire for a certain state of religious experience 
may become an idol ; the undisciplined craving for joy 
in the service of God may become an idol. 

What ! a longing for the joy of the service idolatry ! 
Yes, even so, if your heavenly Father sees fit to give you 
some other experience, and bids you see Him in it. The 
soul must be implicitly satisfied with God ; not with the 
joy of his service ; not with the peace of abiding ; not 
with any state arising from the apprehension of Him ; 
but only and emphatically with him as God, the Begin- 
ning and the Ending ; the I Am ; the All Things to the 
soul who would know the mystery of His Son. 

It will therefore be readily understood, if we can con- 
vert desires into idols, how easy it is to set up for ourselves 
objects of worship in connection with un sanctified afflic- 
tion. 

Are you treasuring carefully some object dear to the 
one who is gone ? Are you in the habit of going into the 
apartment she or he occupied when in the flesh, and of 
there giving way to unrestrained grief at the decision of 
a merciful and loving God ? Are you in any — even the 
remotest — way, allowing your love to enter and cling 
about these things, to the exclusion of an implicit faith 
in the " all things " of Omnipotence ? If so, dear friend, 
you are given up to idol-worship. You cannot worship 



AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 239 

God in the spirit and in truth, and see outside of Christ 
a resting-place. You cannot at the same time worship your 
husband, your wife, your child, your friend, and your God. 

O loiterer on the king's highway, ask God to give you 
the sanctification of holiness in affliction. Ask Him to 
enable you to say, with submission and resignation in 
the hour of trial, " Lord, I come to do thy wilL" 

Remember that every object of attachment, every 
thought of the heart, every act of life, yea, every breath 
that we draw, should be to one great and glorious end, 
viz. : the glory of the Lord God of Hosts. 

When death comes to your home, why do you draw to 
the shutters, darken the house, fill the abode with gloom, 
and render its presence a terror and a dread to the young ? 

Why do you deck .yourself and your children in sable 
garments ? Think you that it is for the glory of God ? 
We enter a protest against these worldly practices. They 
are the hollow and meaningless inheritance of custom. 
They are the idolatry of modern civilization. They are, 
nine times in every ten, false as an expression of human 
sentiment, and ten times in every ten wicked in the sight 
of God, as confessing a cause for mourning at the fulfill- 
ment of His allwise decrees. 

There is but one kind of mourning which is to the 
glory of God — mourning over sins in the heart of the 
sinner. But do you ever put on any outward symbols 
of grief in this case ? Do you clothe yourself in sack- 
cloth and ashes as they of old did, and bow in abasement 
and submission before your God ? Alas, no ! Custom 
does not require it. 



240 AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 

Oh brother, sister, whoever you may be, break loose 
from the pomps and vanities of the world. Come out 
from among them. Be ye clean ; looking ever unto 
Jesus, who is made unto you, of God, wisdom, and 
righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 

" But," you say, " I shrink so from taking an isolated 
position ; I dread being thought peculiar and fanatical • 
I do want to serve God with all my heart, but I can't 
make myself a target for the remarks and sneers of 
other people." 

Of course, this is just what Satan is whispering in your 
ear, but listen to the words of God. Remember that, 
"with all my heart," means a great deal. It means to 
the exclusion of every earthly thought ; to utter separation 
from every desire that is not born of God; it means holiness. 

God says: "Wherefore come out from among them 
and be ye separate," for, " ye are a chosen generation, 
a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people ; that 
ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called 
you out of darkness into his marvellous light." 

You may indeed count upon securing for yourself the 
scorn and indignation of the ungodly, in just the propor- 
tion that you are sealed unto God. But though it may 
be intense pain to your sensitive flesh, let the words of 
Christ be a balm to the wound. 'Twas his lips that 
uttered this sentence, " Blessed are ye when men shall 
hate you, and when they shall separate you from their 
company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your 
name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in 
that day, and leap for joy ; for behold your reward is 



AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 241 

great in heaven ; for in like manner did their fathers unto 
the prophets." 

Oh, these lukewarm professors of Christ ! Oh, these 
border churches, standing on the edge of consecration, 
having a form of godliness, and not much else ! What 
a reproach to the name and character of Jesus are ye ! 
Let custom, precedent, form, habit, usage, and the opin- 
ions of men sink to the bottomless pit, when they come 
in conflict with the true worship of Almighty God. " Do 
all to the glory of God " Make these words the test of 
your life. Measure every act, private or official, by this 
command, and then indeed, you may rejoice, in that you 
are made partakers of the Saviour through the fellowship 
of his sufferings. Then, indeed, you will accept the 
afflictions of His Love with the thankfulness of sub- 
mission, and garner into your experience the fruit of His 
pruning. 

Look down upon the calm and quiet face lying in the 
funeral casket, and see, written across the marble fore- 
head, in the invisible letters of Love, the words, " For 
the glory of God." Turn away from the last glance at 
the countenance so dear to the flesh, and look within 
thine own soul, and then, in the abiding Comforter you 
will find the assurance, " For the glory of God." Praise 
Him in the falling tears ; praise Him in the bruised 
heart ; praise Him in the crucifixion of the flesh ; and 
praise Him in the soul's calm rest ; that you, torn, 
bruised, bleeding, and dying, are in your sorrows as in 
your joys — to the glory of God, to the mercy of His grace, 
and in the abiding consciousness of His Love. 
II 



242 AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 



IDOLS OF THE HEART. 

" Don't talk to me about the justice of God, the love 
of God, the mercy of God ; I don't want to hear it ! 
What justice was there in robbing me of my wife, and de- 
priving my children of the best mother that ever lived ? 
I tell you, your God is a demon !" 

Such were the blasphemous words spoken by Mr. -, 

whose wife — dearer to him than the apple of his eye — 
had been taken home, rejoicing in the God of her salva- 
tion. Everything that intelligence could suggest and 
wealth procure were his, but " one thing " he lacked — 
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

" God's right to your wife was greater than your own. 
He created her, and had He not the right to take her 
to Himself ? " asked Mr. Mowry. 

" No, He had no right, after placing her in the re- 
lation of wife and mother, to snatch her away from a 
place which no one else can fill." 

"The Bible tells us that He chasteneth every son 
whom He loveth ; and this dispensation, though bitter 
in your present rebellious state, is an evidence that God 
is yearning for you. The blow for which you revile 
Him was dealt by the hand of love. You were placing 
all your affection upon your wife. God is a jealous 
God. He cannot share His place in our hearts even 
with our dearest ones. He says to us, ' I am the 
Lord thy God ; thou shalt have no other gods be- 
fore me.' And so, when he saw that His place in your 



IDOLS OF THE HEART. 243 

love was usurped by your companion, He said, I will have 
mercy upon him, for I love him, and I will take away 
the cause of his disobedience, that he may look to me and 
live." 

" I refuse to accept your theory — I don't believe it." 

" God help you to do so," solemnly uttered the mis- 
sionary as they parted. 

Shortly afterward they were again brought together, 
but the interval had apparently wrought little change in 
the feelings of Mr. . Said he : 

" God has taken away my wife ; I wish He would take 
my children also. As for myself, I would end my own 
life if I dared. I am perfectly wretched," 

Mr. Mowry endeavored to quiet him as best he could, 
but the man was so completely wrapped up in his own 
sorrows, the task was no light one. 

" Why, do you know," he cried, "for two nights I have 
sat by the side of my wife's grave." 

" By the side of her grave ! " cried Mowry in astonish- 
ment. " What for, pray ? Did you expect to see her 
there ? She is no longer on the earth, but her soul has 
taken fts flight to God who gave it." 

Mr. made no reply, but remained silent and ab- 
sorbed, as the other continued : 

a It is, however, your privilege to meet her in heaven." 

" Ah ! if I were only there now ! " said the grief-stricken 
husband. 

" Mr. ," said Mr. Mowry, with calm impressive- 

ness, " I am about to tell you a truth which you may not 
receive kindly at my hands, but nevertheless it is my 



244 AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 

duty to do so. If your desire of reaching heaven is that 
you may again be united to your sainted wife, I say 
to you as from God, you have seen her for the last time, 
for the gates of the Eternal City will be shut against you ! 
You are still in bondage to your earth-born love ; you are 
still holding the hope of meeting your wife as of greater 
consequence and sweetness than the hope of meeting 
Christ. You are worshiping an idol, and no idolater ever 
reaches heaven/' 

" What then must I do ? " asked the other. 

" Submit to the will of God ; and pray for the gift of 
a new and clean heart," cried Mowry. 

Again they separated, the interview, though leaving a 
deep impression, resulting in no manifest work of grace. 
The heart was hard as flint, and would not yield to the 
voice of man. God spoke again, and a dear child was 
stricken down and died. The famine was great at last — 
too sore to be endured. The prodigal said, "I will 
arise and go to my father. He did so, and the arms of 
love were open to receive him. He said to Mr. Mowry 
at their next meeting, " I can pray now, and get sweet 
answers of peace to my soul. I shall see my deaf ones 
in heaven, and together we shall glorify God, who doeth 
all things well." 



CHASTISEMENT GOD'S METHOD. 

How true are the words of Paul to the Corinthians, 
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 



CHASTISEMENT GOD'S METHOD. 245 

worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight 
of glory." 

There is perhaps no agency more used of God to 
turn the thoughts and hearts of mankind to himself 
than affliction. Loss of worldly effects, health, or death 
of friends and kindred have brought salvation to many a 
precious soul. The following incident is frequently 
repeated in the experience of every pastor, mission- 
ary, and worker in the Lord's vineyard, and the method 
of treatment may furnish a useful link in the chain as 
to the practical application of God's truth. 

Mr. Mowry was invited by a physician to visit one of 
his patients, upon whom he had exerted all his skill with 
no perceptible effect. She was an intelligent lady of 
culture and refinement, who, some four months previous 
had sustained the loss of an infant eighteen months of 
age. This child had completely entwined itself around 
her heart, and when God took it away, every throb 
was in open rebellion at the chastisement, and she 
rapidly developed symptoms of melancholia, which 
threatened her reason, if not her life. 

The evening chosen for the visit was a stormy one, as 
being likely to secure an interview uninterrupted by visit- 
ors. Mowry announced the object of his calling, men- 
tioning her physician's name, and was received with 
evident cordiality. 

" I am glad to see you, sir, especially if you have any 
consolation for me. I believe I shall become crazed 
unless I can get rest, " and she motioned her visitor to 
a seat by her side. 



246 AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 

She then proceeded to relate all the details connected 
with the sickness and decease of her little one, and 
seemed to regard her own ignorance and neglect as 
conducive in great measure to her infant's death. She 
had lost children before, but never experienced any 
feeling akin to this ; they had received every attention, 
and she had known no self-condemnation ; but now she 
could not become reconciled. 

" My dear madam, you may rest assured this is merely 
a cunning device of the evil one, who recognizes in this 
chastisement the loving hand of God wooing you to 
Himself, and seeks by every available means to prevent 
your heeding the divine pleading. Tell me, are you 
conscious of having thoughtlessly neglected your child ? " 
asked Mowry. 

" No, no, certainly not ; I could not forgive myself 
had I done so, nor should I expect forgiveness from 
God." 

" God is not governed, in making up his judgments, by 
results ; He looks at the motives which prompt the com- 
mission of the act, more than at the act itself. You have 
already stated that you did all that was in your power to 
do for the other little ones you lost, and though you did 
the same in the present instance, still you are fretting 
because you did not know how to do more. When we do 
all that we can, we must leave the results with God. 
Besides, will all your fretting bring your darling back to 
you again ? " 

" Alas, no ! nothing will benefit me that I can see. 
Oh, I shall become deranged ! " 



CHASTISEMENT GOd's METHOD. 247 

<; The rather do the most rational thing of your whole 
life.*' 

" What may that be ? " she asked, with a weary, in- 
credulous stare. 

" Stop trying to do what you cartt do, and ask God to 
help you do what He would have you do,' 1 was the reply. 

" Suppose Christ, the sympathizing Jesus, were here 
with you at this moment in my place, and should ask you, 
as he did one of old, ' What will ye that I do unto thee ? ' 
what would you reply ? " 

" Oh, I would ask Him to help me, and to make me a 
true Christian." 

" Do you desire to be a Christian, to be God's child, 
more than you wish for your own child back again ? " 

The question was one which probed the wounded 
heart to its very centre. What a struggle was waged 
within its secret depth ; what agony was endured in the 
few moments before the answer was given, and the words 
with trembling accents, accompanied by scalding tears, 
breathed solemnly: 

"Yes, I do." 

" Then let us ask Him ; for our blessed Redeemer, 
full of sympathy and love, is here, waiting to be gracious, 
being touched with the sorrows of such as we." 

They knelt in prayer, and earnestly asked the boon of 
peace which passeth all understanding. How that poor 
tempest-tossed child threw herself upon the Saviour's 
bosom, pleading for mercy and rest. The answer came 
in part before they arose from their knees, for the tired 
heart was still, and the 4 awn °f a new anc * glorious 



248 AFFLICTION BY DEATH. 

experience had broken. On the following day that 
mother pressed further into the kingdom, until by 
becoming a child herself, she was enabled to lay even 
her darling upon the altar of sacrifice to God. 

Oh ! when will we learn to stop trying to do the things 
we cannot do ? When will we take God's chastising as 
tokens of his love ? When will we become reconciled to 
the will of the Almighty whose name is Love, and who 
dealeth with us as sons and daughters, in that for our 
own good He spareth not the rod ? 



CHAPTER IX. 

MORAL SINNERS. 



" Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the 
faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ that we might be 
justified by the faith of Christ and not by the works of the law ; for by the 
works of the law shall no flesh be justified.'"— Gal. ii. 16. 



WHAT trouble moral sinners make in the world ! 
What hindrances and stumbling-blocks they 
are to others ! How the cause of Christ suffers by 
reason of them ! 

How often we hear some one exclaim : u Don't talk 
about the power of Christ to me ; don't prate about 
religion as a safeguard to me, in the face of such 
exponents of its truth as Mr. So-and-So, and Mrs. This- 
and-That." 

" But," you reply, "the persons you have named are 
not Christians. ,, 

" Not Christians ! Why, they go to church regularly, 
and claim to be as good as those who call themselves so, 
at any rate ; and what is more they are always preaching 
morality to others. " 

" Exactly ; but though Christianity is always identified 
with morality, morality is not always synonymous with 
Christianity." 

Here is where the difficulty lies. 

This class by their morality deceive those who, witness- 



250 MORAL SINNERS. 

ing their failure and inconsistency, wrongfully attribute 
the result to the insufficiency of the religion of Jesus 
Christ ; whereas the entire responsibility rests alone with 
their false morality. They attempt to identify failure 
with Christ, when it is simply attributable to self. 

Self-satisfied morality is merely the cultivation of the 
ego in human nature, and its development to the possible 
limit of attainment. 

It is founded upon a theory of the existence of some 
latent virtue in the natural man upon which to build, and 
is but the patient manufacture of " tone ; " the super- 
education of self. 

" Morality," aptly says a well-known author, " com- 
prehends only a part of religion ; but religion compre- 
hends the whole of morality. Morality finds all her 
motives here below ; religion fetches all her motives 
from above. The highest principle in social morals is a 
just regard to the rights of man ; the first principle in 
religion is the love of God. " 

Whatever is of man is antagonistic to God; and 
though it is shown that man's best good is the avowed 
purpose of the Almighty in the establishment of the 
religion of Jesus Christ, and that morality has for its 
object man's best good likewise, still it remains undeni- 
able that in the first case man's good is inseparably 
identified with the glory of God, while in the latter 
instance man's good never rises above the plane of his 
own advancement and his own moral development. 

It is to the existence of this fact that all the failures of 
moral sinners is due. The glory of God is not the 



MORAL SINNERS. 251 

motive governing their actions ; and for this reason even 
their good deeds are valueless in the sight of the 
Almighty, and powerless among men. 

Moral sinners attend church regularly, it may be ; yes, 
and perhaps contribute very liberally of their means to 
the support of God's house ; but after all they cannot 
purchase Christianity, they cannot buy spiritual influ- 
ence. True ! they do not seek it. Their desire is 
a sound, solid, substantial reputation for respectability, 
and fair dealing, and benevolence, and caste. This is 
what they aspire to, and nothing more. 

They want to be able to hear men say of them, " Mr. 
So-and-So ? Why, his word is as good as his bond \ he's 
one of the most upright, fair dealing men in the commu- 
nity," and beyond this their ambition does not extend. 

Then there are moral sinners who do not conceive it 
necessary to attend church at all. They believe them- 
selves capable of fulfilling all that God requires of them, 
without becoming identified in any way with the people 
of God. They are doing " as well as they can, and that's 
all that can be asked or expected of any one." They 
would not be guilty of any breach of their self- 
imposed standard; they are consistent to their own 
notions of consistency, and in a certain sense are free 
from condemnation. 

But alas ! in what a perilous sense is this freedom 
enjoyed ! The traveller in the Alpine snows is free from 
all sense of pain and danger, when once the benumbed 
sensibilities begin to lose themselves in the fatal drowsi- 
ness which precedes the sleep of death ; and so these 



252 MORAL SINNERS. 

moral sinners, dead to the fact of their danger, feel no 
apprehension in the position which they occupy in the 
sight of God. 

Much might be said upon this subject, which is one of 
great range, but a few incidents in illustration will serve 
to render its practical results apparent. 

It must be observed, just here, that the different 
phases which morality assumes in connection with the 
church and with the world have not been arranged nor 
classified. We have simply given a few promiscuous 
incidents bearing upon this subject, leaving the worker 
to elaborate as he or she may, through experience, find 
it necessary to do. 



SAILING WITHOUT A COMPASS. 

" If there is such a place as Heaven, I expect to go 
there." 

The speaker was evidently in the last stages of con- 
sumption, and soon to be numbered among those who 
have entered the dark valley. 

"What ground have you for indulging such a hope ? " 
asked Mr. Mowry. 

" Well, in the first place I am not a great sinner, and 
then I have always been a moral man ; I have attended 
church; I have always done unto others as I would 
they should do to me ; I don't know what more I can 
do," was the reply. 

" With your permission I will tell you what I think of 



SAILING WITHOUT A COMPASS. 253 

your hope." It being readily granted, Mo wry continued, « 
" I think it will not stand the tests of the dying hour 
and the judgment day. You have given me jive reasons 
for hoping \ the Bible gives but one, and it is not included 
among those you have mentioned." 

"Pray explain." 

" The first reason that you give for hoping you are a 
Christian, is that you are not a great sinner. The Bible 
does not recognize such a class, and indeed if such 
existed they would be shut out from all part and lot in 
the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came to 
save — not the righteous, but sinners. Secondly, You 
claim to be a moral man and therefore have a right to 
hope. The Bible explicitly declares, that by the deeds 
of the law shall no flesh be justified ; thus, the Word of 
God invalidates all hope in that direction. Thirdly, You 
rest upon the fact of having observed the outward forms 
of grace, attending church and prayer-meeting. This is 
indeed a poor ground to rest upon, for since the days of 
Judas and Simon Megus, there have been church-goers 
who have never got beyond the external forms of worship, 
and are at all times ready to sacrifice Christ. Fourth, 
You assert you have always done to others as you would 
they should do to you. This statement is absolutely 
false. 

"There is not that person living to day of whom such 
an assertion can be made with truth. Lastly, you express 
a willingness — notwithstanding all that you claim to have 
done — to do yet more if you only knew what more was 
required of you. This was just the thought uppermost in 



254 MORAL SINNERS. 

the mind of the young ruler who came to Christ at noon- 
day, and falling upon his knees, cried, 'Good Master, 
what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life ? ' 

" Christ told him what further to do, but we read that 
he went away sorrowful, Now, Christ answers you 
to-day, saying, ' I am the Way, and the Truth, and the 
Life, whosoever believe th in me shall never die.' Will 
you heed the voice of the Saviour and take up your cross 
and follow him, or will you, like the young ruler, go 
away sorrowful. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as the 
Redeemer of mankind is the only reason which God 
recognizes as valid, and it is the only one which will 
stand the test of death and the judgment-day." 

These timely words, taking up in turn the reasons for 
a false hope, were wonderfully blessed of God, and 
before another thirty days had rolled round, not only the 
invalid was rejoicing in the forgiveness of his sins, but 
his wife also had united with him in a new song of praise 
to the glory of the Lamb that was slain. 

How many are to-day deceived with chaff, are satisfied 
with the shadow and do not seek the substance ? Reader, 
" Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready 
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you 
a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and 
fear." 



HAPPY ENOUGH. 

Mere morality is too often closely allied to thought- 
lessness and indifference, as in the following instance : 



HAPPY ENOUGH. 255 

One day the door of Mr. Mo wry 's store opened, and 
two young ladies entered. Mr. Mowry himself waited 
upon them, and while they were making their selections, 
was busying his mind with the problem presented by 
their presence. They lived six miles distant from 
Bozrahville, and could procure almost at their own doors, 
goods of an equal quality and cheapness. To what, 
then, was their visit due ? There must be some motive 

in it, thought Mr. Mowry. One of them, Miss L , 

he knew to be a good Christian girl ; could it be that she 

had brought Miss G , in order that he might talk to 

her on the subject of religion ? His surmise was correct. 

Miss L , during a moment when her friend was not 

watching, motioned towards Miss G , as much as to 

say, " Go talk to her, for I have brought her that you 
might do so." 

Miss L , interesting herself apparently over some 

goods at the other side of the store, presented an oppor- 
tunity for the opening of the conversation. Mr. Mowry 
began by saying, 

" I am quite well acquainted with your friend Miss 

L , and know her as a Christian, and I shall be glad 

to learn that you are one also." 

The young lady stared at her interlocutor, and replied 
in a somewhat flippant manner, 

" I don't know whether I am or not." 

" Well, what do you think about it ? " 

" I don't think anything about it." 

" But don't you care anything about it ? " 

" No, not one particle ; I never give it a thought." 



256 MORAL SINNERS. 

" Are you happy in your present indifferent state ? " 
"Yes, just as happy as I want to be." And she 
began to take some steps as though about to dance; 
endeavoring doubtless to indicate that she was as light- 
hearted and free from care as it is possible for any 
human being to be. Mr. Mowry continued, 

" Then you don't want religion to make you happy ? " 
" No, I am just as happy as I want to be," — taking a 
few more steps. 

For a few moments, Mr. Mowry was at a loss to know 
what to say, but in a measure recovering his complacency 
he continued, "Suppose yourself to be sailing on the 
river, just above Niagara Falls, and unconscious of the 
dreadful gulf into which the waters plunge, you are very 
happy. The bright sunshine is over your head ; the 
lovely landscape spread out before your gaze ; while on 
the sparkling waters your boat dances pleasantly with 
every movement of the wavelets. You are perfectly 
happy. Ah, yes ; but the precipice is only a little way 
off; the rippling waters will soon become the terrible 
rapids — once in their grasp, and no earthly power can 
save you. How happy will you be when your boat plunges 
headlong over that horrible brt7tk ? " 

She made no answer beyond a characteristic shrug of 
the shoulders, and taking a few more steps, danced her- 
self out of the store. After they had departed Mr. 
Mowry thought, " God help you ! for a more hopeless, 
thoughtless person I never saw." It was the first time 
he had ever met her, and two years elapsed before they 
met again. One day, happening to be in a large whole- 



HAPPY ENOUGH. 257 

sale store in the city of N , he noticed among a 

number of lady customers who were present, one who 
appeared to know him. He had no recollection of her, 
but the lady's manner unmistakably betokened a desire to 
speak with him, and accordingly he approached her, saying, 

u Do you know me ? " 

" Oh, yes ; and I suppose you remember me ? " 

" Well no, I confess I am unable quite to place you ; 
I meet so many people only once or twice, that my 
memory is often treacherous on this point." 

" Why, don't you remember Mary L and I came 

to your store one day, two years ago, and you spoke of 
my sailing on the Niagara river ? " 

" Ah, yes ! now I know you. You were ' happy 
enough ' and didn't want any religion." 

" Exactly ; and do you know ' Niagara Falls ■ and 
1 happy enough ' rang in my ears until I gave myself to 
God." 

" And have you done so." 

" Yes, and now I can say with truth, I am happy 
indeed, with a happiness of whose existence I did not 
even dream then ; and I have been anxious to see you 
ever since, and tell you the good news." 

It was indeed good news to the gospel-worker, and 
formed one of the most joyful surprises of his life-work. 
She proved to be a most consistent Christian, and was 
constantly engaged in some work of love for the glory of 
her Saviour. She passed away in her early womanhood, 
ripe for the glory of the kingdom, and rejoicing in the 
dawning of a better life. 



258 MORAL SINNERS. 



A CHRISTMAS PRESENT. 

The mother's idea of the degree of her daughter's 
culpability in the following incident, is an oft-repeated 
experience among Christian workers. 

One Christmas day Mr. Mowry was led to visit a 
young woman in poor health, who was evidently in a 
receptive state of mind as to divine truth. 

After some conversation of a general character, the 
missionary propounded a series of questions designed to 
extract from the sick girl, if she realized her lost condi- 
tion as a sinner in the sight of God. 

Her mother, who was present^ arid had quietly been 
listening to the conversation, at this p6int — with no little 
assumption of dignity — implied that their visitor had 
entirely mistaken the character of her daughter, who 
was " one of the best girls in the world, and never had 
been much of a sinner" 

" You think, madam, I am laboring under a mistake 
in my estimate of your child, but may I ask if she is so 
good in your opinion that she does not need a Saviour ? " 
he said quietly. 

" No, I do not mean that, but she don't need a Saviour 
in the same sense that some persons do, for she has been 
a good girl from a child up," was the reply. 

" Madam, there is but one Saviour, and he came to 
save sinners. There is no such thing in the sight of God 
as degrees of culpability in sin, — whosoever offendeth in 
one point is guilty of the whole law. A petty thief is as 



A CHRISTMAS PRESENT. 259 

certainly guilty in the sight of God, as a murderer whose 
hands are stained with innocent blood. Theft is sin, 
sin is the transgression of God's law, and murder is sin, 
the transgression of God's law ; the guilt lies not in the 
grade of sin, but in the fact that we have done that which he 
commanded us not to do" exclaimed Mr. Mowry, with 
force and earnestness. Turning to the daughter, he 
continued, 

" Mary, do you feel yourself to be a sinner in the sight 
of God ? " 

" Yes, Mr. Mowry," she cried with solemn earnestness ; 
" I feel myself not only a sinner but a great sinner in his 
eye." 

" Eighteen hundred and sixty-one years ago, God 
made this world a Christmas Present. He gave His 
only-begotten Son to die for you, that you might give 
yourself to Him and live. To-day we celebrate the 
anniversary of that blessed Gift, — will you not make it 
memorable in your own life by asking the Holy Spirit to 
enable you to make Christ a Christmas Present of your- 
self?" 

Overcome with emotion, her eyes streaming with tears 
and her bosom heaving, she cried : 

" Yes, I will not only ask for help to do it, but I will 
act upon the help if given." 

Her father was also present in the room at the time of 
the foregoing conversation, but was seated at some dis- 
tance, and apparently paid no attention to what was said. 
The result, however, proved that he was not only an in- 
terested, but benefited auditor. On the second evening 



260 MORAL SINNERS. 

following New Year's day he attended a prayer meeting 
held in the neighborhood, and before the exercises closed 
arose and said : 

" I had no disposition to make my Saviour a Christmas 
present ; I was too much engaged with the things of this 
world to take any interest in the things of the world to 
come, or in my prospect of gaining heaven ; but, by the 
help of God, I resolved to give myself as a New 
Year's gift, and feel persuaded in my own mind that I 
have been accepted, and that I am now the property of 
the Lord Jesus Christ, who is able to keep that which 
I have committed to Him until that day." 



DIVORCING THE CHURCH. 

Many are in the condition of the man mentioned in 
the illustration which follows, and require to be care- 
fully yet firmly led back into covenant relations with the 
church through an experimental knowledge of God. 

" Well, the fact is, I don't go to church any more." 

" What ! " exclaimed the missionary, " not go to church ! 

How is that ? Were you not a member of Mr. 's 

congregation ? " 

" Yes, I used to be a member there, but I became so 
thoroughly disgusted with the inconsistency of the church, 
with its errors, and with the worldliness of its members, 
I couldn't stand it any longer ; so I gave up going any- 
where." 



DIVORCING THE CHURCH. 261 

" Do you act in a similar manner in relation to tempo- 
ral affairs ? Would you leave your wife because she had 
faults, and failed in every instance to do as she ought, 
according to your ideas of right ? Would you close your 
shop and give up your business because some with whom 
you held business relations were dishonest, and because 
others failed to do as they had agreed to ? Would 
you refuse all money because there was danger of your 
taking a counterfeit instead of the genuine article ?" 
asked the missionary. 

" Well, of course, as you put it, I would not do either 
of these things." 

" Then why should you single out the church as less 
worthy your sympathy and forbearance than either your 
wife, your business, or your money ? Is it right ? Is it 
the act of a true Christian ? " 

The other made no reply, but seemed engaged with his 
own reflections. 

" Will you allow me to speak plainly, and to ask you a 
few questions ? v continued the missionary. 

" Yes ; ask me whatever you please." 

" Do you know anything about the new birth ? " 

" Well — no ; I don't know that I do," was the hesi- 
tating answer. 

" Then it is evident you went into the church as you 
came out of it, without having been born again, which is 
probably the true reason of your leaving. Had you been 
a regenerated man, even though the church was as cor- 
rupt and imperfect as you have represented it, you would 
have felt it to be your duty, as a follower of Christ, to do 



262 MORAL SINNERS. 

your part in exerting an influence for good where it was so 
greatly needed. Christ left heaven and came to earth to 
benefit sinners, to bring life and immortality to light. 
Was it following his footsteps when you withdrew yourself 
from those who needed instruction and the influence of 
a good example ? " 

The man acknowledged his error, and promised to 
profit by the lesson he had received. 

There are very many persons to-day who stand in a 
similar position. Once eager and zealous members of 
some church organization, they became impatient of the 
manner in which the affairs of the church were managed, 
and finally they have withdrawn from further attendance, 
and have grown perhaps to speak slightingly of the church 
as a corporate part of the body of Christ. 

While it is true that every church organization is largely 
composed of those who have no right to the title of Chris- 
tians — not having been born again through the power of 
regeneration in the inner man— still it remains equally 
clear and emphatic that the real, true sons and daughters 
of God are obligated to walk circumspectly, and to 
reflect in their lives the gentleness, the spiritual solici- 
tude, the forbearance, the meekness, and the charity of 
Him whose sheep they are. 

Remember, when you find fault with the prevalence of 
black sheep in the flock, that you are not better than your 
Lord, neither is the servant above his master. He, even 
among twelve followers, had one who denied Him with 
oaths and blasphemy, and one who betrayed Him and 
delivered him up to death and crucifixion. 



A FALSE HOPE. 263 

Think you if over sixteen per cent, of the Lord's imme- 
diate disciples proved unreliable under the influence 
of His personal teachings, that it is a matter of wonder 
that a still larger percentage should follow their example 
under the teachings of God's ministers ? 

Reader, have you been a fault-finder in the church ? If 
so, remember from this time forward that it is not char- 
acteristic of the true Christian. Christ never found fault. 
When it did not please Him to alter a condition, either 
in Himself as man, or in others around Him, He bore 
meekly and patiently the cross of humiliation and suffer- 
ing. 

Go thou and do likewise. 



A FALSE HOPE. 

Mr. Mowry was requested to call upon a woman whose 
delicate state of health gave but little hope of her recov- 
ery. In conversing with her, he found she had no fear 
as to the consequences of death, giving as a reason that 
she had never done very much to displease God, while, 
on the other hand, she had performed many good works 
which could not but find favor in His sight. 

But while she did not dread the consequences of death, 
she feared to die. Why this should be so was a mystery 
to her. 

She had supposed that a Christian was always ready 



264 MORAL SINNERS. 

and willing to die, and as she had never been willing, it 
caused her to doubt whether she really was a Christian. 

" My good woman, your unwillingness to die is the 
most hopeful feature in your case," cried the missionary. 

" Why ? " 

" Because, if you were willing to die, you would take it 
as satisfactory evidence that you were a Christian, when, 
in fact, it is no evidence at all. Should you, regardless 
of the will of God, be willing to die before the time He 
has appointed, it would indicate plainly a state of oppo- 
sition to His divine will and pleasure, and no person 
can be a consistent Christian who runs counter to the 
wishes of his Heavenly Father. The Christian, like his 
blessed Master, says, " The cup that my Father giveth, 
shall I not drink it?" 

" Don't you think that a Christian is willing to die at 
any time ? " 

" At any time that God calls ; not at any other. The 
best evidence of being a Christian is perfect submission 
to the will of God, waiting upon His pleasure, bearing the 
heat and burden of the day, until He says, ' It is suffi- 
cient ; come and receive thy reward/ " 

u Then you don't think I am a Christian ? " 

" No, I don't think you are." 

" Why not ? " 

" Because you have depended on the world for happi- 
ness, and on your own goodness for salvation, and be- 
cause you have never been born again and become a new 
creature in Christ Jesus." 

" I believe you are telling me the truth ; I have long felt 



BORN AGAIN. 265 

dissatisfied with my condition, but never could tell exactly 
why. It seemed, in some vague and undefined way, that 
I was like the foolish virgins without the oil of accept- 
ance." 

From this time a marked change was manifested in 
her experience. She became an anxious inquirer after 
the secrets of the Lord, her soul hungering and thirsting 
after righteousness. This state cannot, in the nature of 
God's plan of redemption, continue for any length of time 
without the quieting, life-giving baptism of peace in be- 
lieving, and joy in the consciousness of sins forgiven. It 
was so in this case, and she could cry with him of old, 
" Whereas I was blind, now I see." 



BORN AGAIN. 

A somewhat similar case is the following : 

Passing out of a morning meeting which he had organ- 
ized and led for some time, Mr. Mowry spoke to a very pre- 
possessing looking woman who had been present, asking 
her the usual question : 

" Are you a Christian ? " 

" Well," she answered with no little embarrassment in 
her manner, " I am a member of the church ; I have 
been both baptized and confirmed ; but if what you said 
this morning is true, I am not a Christian in the sight of 
God." 

'• You are not obliged, madam, to take my word for it. 

12 



266 MORAL SINNERS. 

God's word is accessible, and Christ says to you, as He 
said to the Jews, " Search the Scriptures, for in them ye 
think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify 
of Me." Now, our lesson this morning was the third 
chapter of John, and you will remember that Christ did 
not say to Nicodemus, ' If you join the church, and are 
baptized and confirmed, you shall be made a partaker of 
my righteousness/' but He said, ' Except a man be born 
again he shall not enter the kingdom of God.' " 

" Well, sir, I confess I know nothing about being born 
again," she replied. 

" Then let me advise you to read that chapter carefully 
and prayerfully, and ask God to put you to the test as to 
your condition in His sight." 

" I will do so." So saying, they bade each other good 
morning, and parted. 

About two weeks afterwards she became serious, and 
sent for Mr. Mowry. As he entered the room in answer 
to her request, she exclaimed : 

" Oh, sir ! I have been reading the third chapter of 
John and the fifty-first Psalm, and I have been led to be- 
lieve that I have had no real religious experience ; that 
I neither know the power of God in conviction, in con- 
version, nor in regeneration. I do desire to feel myself 
an accepted child of God ; what must I do ? " 

" Have faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, who has pur- 
chased the forgiveness of our sins by the shedding of his 
own precious blood. Through and by the merits of the 
Atonement seek God with an assurance of faith ; claim 
the purchased possession which is life everlasting in the 



BORN AGAIN. 267 

world to come, and in the present life peace and rest in 
the hope of our calling," was the reply. 

After much practical advice and illustration, Mr. Mowry 
took his leave, and it was but a short time afterward be- 
fore this woman found joy in believing. She refused to 
take a letter from the church of which she was a member, 
preferring to signalize her conversion by acknowledging 
openly before men that she had and could give a reason 
for the hope that was in her. She united with the church 
on profession of faith, and was remarkable up to the time 
of her death, three years later, for the clearness of her 
experience, and for the depth of her experimental re- 
ligion. 

In her last sickness, when she became too feeble to 
enter any longer into conversation with visitors, she had 
a large sign or placard printed containing the words, 
" When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death 
I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me, Thy rod and Thy 
staff they comfort me." She would point to it repeatedly 
when asked by one and another how she was feeling ; and 
when the final moment came, fell asleep in Jesus, with 
her eyes riveted upon these blessed words of comfort and 
consolation. 



CHAPTER X. 
CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 



" As workers together with him." — 2 Cor., vi. 1. 

" For we are laborers together with God."— 1 Cor. iii. 9. 



PEOPLE often make a vital mistake as to their posi- 
tion in being co-workers with God. In the won- 
derful largeness of the sphere which God has called His 
chosen ones to fill they sometimes lose themselves ; and 
instead of realizing the greatness of their privilege, and 
unhesitatingly giving themselves up to the working of 
God's will in and through them, they entirely reverse His 
order, and attempt — unconsciously it is true — to make 
God a co-worker with them. 

This unfortunate mistake is pregnant with sad results. 
It is the treadmill of the human soul. It is always at- 
tended with grief and failure. 

Very many earnest and ardent Christian people are 
filled with the one idea of work, work, work. And they 
are constantly busy at one point and another. They 
never rest. They seize such passages as " Work, for the 
night cometh when no man can work," and forthwith 
they commence to dig. It don't so much matter what 
they do, as long as they work. It does not enter into 
their thoughts as to the method of work ; all they know is 
that God said work, and they wait for no further directions. 



CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 269 

" What are you doing, my good man ?" 

"Oh, I'm working." 

" Well, but what are you digging this great unsightly 
hole for ? " 

" I don't know anything about the * what for '; I only 
know the architect said 'dig,' and I'm digging just as 
hard as ever I can. As you see, I don't even stop work 
while I'm talking." 

"But, my good friend, the architect must have had 
some purpose in view when he said 'dig'; he must have 
had some settled plan in his mind ; there must have been 
some particular place where he wished the excavation to 
be made ; haven't you been instructed as to these par- 
ticulars ?" 

" Never heard a word about them ; all I know is, he 
said 'dig.'" 

" Well, did you wait to hear the full directions ?" 

" Come to think of it, I don't believe I did. I only 
heard him say ' dig," and I was so anxious to get to work, 
and to show him how hard I could work and would work 
for him, I just seized a spade and ran to this place, where 
I've been digging with all my might ever since." 

u You have indeed been working very hard, I can see 
that ; and you have thrown up a great deal of dirt, and 
have made quite a large hole ; but what earthly good it 
is, either to yourself or to any one else, I do not so readily 
comprehend. And if you will take my advice, you will 
stop just where you are, and go to the architect and tell 
him what you have done, and ask to be set right. You 
will put yourself under his directions, and then your work 



270 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

will tell. You will then be accomplishing his plans, and 
showing your willingness at the same time ; whereas, if 
you continue as you have begun, the architect will neither 
take any interest in your digging nor reward you for 
your toil." 

" Do you mean to tell me that I must lose all my labor 
here — that it will not count anything with him ?' 

I mean to say that he will doubtless grieve over the 
fact that your short-sightedness should have led you into 
such an error. Moreover, he will, without doubt, give 
you full credit for the willingness to serve him, but 
as far as the work goes, he cannot accept it, nor recog- 
nize it in any way as part of his conception. It must 
perish." 

If the man has confidence in what I say, and is actu- 
ated by a sincere desire to work for the architect, he will 
recognize the uselessness of his present position, and he 
will stop his digging and at once place himself under the 
guidance and instruction of the one he would serve. 

Now there are a great many Christians who are in ex- 
actly the same position spiritually as the man in the above 
illustration. The church is full of them. They make a 
great deal of noise, they do a vast amount of digging, and 
they accomplish worse than nothing, because the utter fail- 
ure of their efforts is looked upon by those who know not 
the truth as being attributable to the Almighty, whose co- 
workers they claim to be. The gist of the matter lies in 
the fact that there is no truth in their claim. They are 
not co-workers with God ; they are those whom the 
Bible describes as having "zeal without knowledge. ,, 



CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 271 

(Rom. x. 2-3.) They are such as ignorantly attempt to 
make Jehovah a co-worker with them. Oh, that a mighty 
baptism of true zeal would descend from the Source of 
Grace upon the church militant ! Oh, that knowledge 
might be coupled with service in the heart of every Chris- 
tian in the land ! 

"Let every man take heed how he buildeth," cries 
Paul, for u every man's work shall be made manifest ; 
because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try 
every man's work of what sort it is/' 

The mightiest agency of man is abortive to save even 
one soul, while the weakest instrument in the hands of 
God is powerful to lead thousands to Christ. 

Reader, are you working in God's order ? Are you a 
co-laborer with Him ? Are you losing all sight of self, 
in your desire to manifest Christ's righteousness ? If so, 
the results will abide, and you shall receive a reward ; 
but if you are vainly digging — working for work's 
sake — and you are saved, remember the weight of the 
words " Yet so as by fire." 

The church itself is sadly in need of workers to labor 
with it. " For the time is come that judgment must 
begin at the house of God." 

The cry goes out to-day as in the time of Moses, 
" Who is on the Lord's side ? " Who is willing to be a 
co-worker with Christ ? 

This means in many instances to occupy a very 
insignificant place in the estimation of the world's 
mighty ones. It means to be ofttimes treated with 
contumely and scorn. It means to occupy the lowest 



272 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

room at the feast, and the humblest place in the 
synagogue. 

But it means, too, appreciation at God's right hand ; 
it means divine benediction; it means working in 
demonstration of the power of the Spirit of the living 
God. 

Choose ye this day whom ye will serve. 

When God through the medium of the Holy Ghost 
makes men co-workers with Him, they make no mistakes 
about their work ; for in reality they have nothing to do 
in the matter save to let God work through them. They 
become instruments in the hand of the Almighty. They 
become agencies, rather than agents ; and God is 
glorified in them because of their adaptability to his use, 
and their fitness to the accomplishment of his ends. 

When we are co-workers with God, we rest in working. 

If a Christian is seeking in his own strength to work 
for Christ, it is one continual, unabated strain, not only 
upon the physical, but likewise upon the spiritual 
natures. It is effort, effort, effort — all the way along. 
It is to be constantly moving, and yet never advancing. 

It is — as we said before — to be in a spiritual tread- 
mill, wherein the wheel keeps going round and round 
and round, and the one who treads upon it never 
advances a single foot beyond the limits of the box he 
stands in. 

Such is not the experience of God's co-workers. When 
we work together with Him, we work in His order ; and 
He says to us, as He did to Moses, " My presence shall 
go with thee, and I will give thee rest." (Ex. xxxiii. 14.) 



CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 273 

These words are very significant. God did not say, 
" I will come to you and you shall rest ;" but He says, " I 
will go with thee and will give thee rest." It is to be 
rest in movement, rest in the accomplishment of work ; 
rest in the fulfilling of that whereunto we are ordained, 
and all this while the work is being done. Rest is the 
normal condition of the soul which is working as a co- 
laborer with Christ, and in God's order. 

Another thought in connection with this matter. 

While the immense piers for the stupendous East 
River Bridge were in course of construction, a sign was 
one day nailed upon the great door of the yard leading 
to one of the towers, which read as follows : 



NO MORE WORKMEN WANTED. 



Many laborers and others who sought employment of 
the company were daily confronted by this short, sharp 
notice, and were obliged to turn away — many doubtless 
with aching hearts — to look elsewhere for means of 
support. No matter how skilled the mechanic, his 
chance was no better than the common day laborer, for 
the company was supplied with help — no more were 
wanted. 

No such announcement awaits him who desires to 
work for God. There is always room for one more. 
Always work to be done ; always workmen wanted to do 
it. Nor does God make any code of qualifications 
beyond this ; there must exist not only a desire to labor, 



274 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

but more than this, a willingness to labor m accordance 
with His directions — in his order — with Him. 

If such be your determination, dear reader, hasten to 
make application, saying, " Lord, what wilt thou have me 
to do ? " 

Stop not for a day of greater spiritual power ; stay not 
for further assurance of your fitness ; wait no longer to 
be convinced that there are persons of your calibre 
wanted ; but apply at once and put yourself unreservedly 
into God's hands to use you as He shall deem fit, and for 
the best interests of His kingdom. 

He may glorify Himself and honor you, by making you 
a common hewer of wood and drawer of water. He may 
glorify Himself and honor you, by calling you to proclaim 
to all the people the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ. 

What matters where or how you are called to work, if 
it is but to His glory and to the praise of His grace. 

Exclaim with David, " I had rather be a door-keeper 
in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of 
wickedness." 

But be sure that you are at least a door-keeper. Be 
sure that you are doing something for the Master. Be 
sure that when He comes, you have made use of the 
talent He has given you, and that you can return to Him 
His own with usury. 

The incidents which accompany this chapter, show the 
completeness of God's power, through the means He 
chooses to honor in fulfilling His will. 

He is no respecter of persons ; He uses the humblest 
to work out the mightiest miracles; and He deigns to use 



THE THREE WIDOWS. 275 

the powerful ones also to show forth the glory of His 

kingdom. 



THE THREE WIDOWS. 

They came very quietly, and unostentatiously, and 
took up their home in the New England Mill Village, 
evidently purposing to work for their daily bread. It 
was some time before their neighbors heard their story, 
but finally— little by little— the tale of "the three 
widows," as they were called, was fully understood by 
all in the place. 

The household consisted of the aged mother, her two 
daughters, and several fatherless children. " Mother 

A ," as she was known, had been a widow before the 

marriage of her two daughters, and rejoiced to see her 
girls so well provided for. They chose two brothers, sea- 
captains, men of ability, integrity, and general good 
character, and every earthly prospect seemed to grow 
brighter and brighter, as one after another the curly- 
haired children came to crown their joy. 

After some years of happy prosperity, the two brothers 
determined to unite their interests, and make a voyage 
together, which, if successful, should be their final trip. 
Accordingly, they embarked their savings in a well- 
assorted cargo, loaded it aboard a trim vessel, and leav- 
ing their wives sufficient to provide for their wants against 
their return, sailed away with light hearts, anticipating a 
quick and prosperous voyage. 



276 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

God did not so order it. Years passed, but the cap- 
tains never returned. Ship, cargo, and every human 
creature on board, found a grave beneath the swellings 
of the tide; and the happy wives at home, grown 
weary with watching, donned their widows' weeds, and 
looked about for the means to support their little 
ones. Thus, in the course of Providence, they found 
their way to Bozrahville, earning their bread by daily toil 
in the mill of the Thames Company. 

" Mother A " was the only one of the household 

whose trust was in the Lord, and who found Him a very 
present help in time of need. She realized deeply the 
responsibility resting upon her, as the standard-bearer of 
the Cross in their little home ; and her heart yearned for 
the conversion of her daughters and their children. 

The Bible —blessed Book of Comfort— taught her to 
believe "when Zion travaileth she bringeth forth her 
children," and recognizing herself as a part of the Lord's 
Zion, she felt it was for her to travail for her children, 
her grandchildren, and for the whole village. 

One night her younger daughter, being more wakeful 
than usual, heard, or thought she heard, some one in the 
house. She lay quiet, straining every nerve to catch the 
sounds again, but as they were not repeated, she believed 
herself mistaken, and fell asleep. 

The succeeding night the same noise was heard again, 
and more distinctly than before. There could now be 
no doubt about it ; some one was in the house. For what 
purpose ? She would see. 

Hurriedly throwing on a few articles of clothing, she 



THE THREE WIDOWS. , 277 

stealthily crept toward the room from whence the sounds 
proceeded. 

As she approached, the sounds shaped themselves into 
words. Some one was conversing with another. Who 
could it be ? Nearer and nearer she crept on tiptoe 
until she distinguished her own name, and then the 
words, in her mother's tearful voice, " O God, do bless 
Lucy. She has four children, and neither she nor they 
are Thine. She cannot instruct them in the things ot 
the kingdom unless she is a Christian. O my God, do 
bless Lucy ! " 

Back to her bed crept Lucy, as silently as she came, 
but she slept no more that night. The thought that her 
blind mother — for God had taken her sight from her — 
should be upon her knees in prayer for herself and her 
children, night after night while she was sleeping, 
brought to her soul a terrible sense of condemnation. 

" Here I am," she reasoned, " living without prayer, 
without God, without a thought of my eternal destiny, 
while my dear old mother is asking God to bless me ! 
Do I deserve God's blessing ? Have I not disregarded 
all His commands to seek Him early ? Have I not been 
living in wicked neglect? Yes, I feel it. O God, 
have mercy upon me ! I do not deserve it ; but O God, 
for Jesus sake, have mercy upon me, for I am a sinner." 

God spoke, and she was made an heir of glory through 
the blessed Redeemer. This was the beginning of a 
glorious work of Grace. 

Not only Lucy, but her sister, and all of their children 
were brought beneath the shelter of the everlasting Arms, 



278 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD* 

Nor was the work confined to their immediate family. 
Zion's ship had been lying quietly moored a long time, 
but on all sides everything seemed to say, Up and away. 
Accordingly, the broad sails of Prayer were spread to 
the breeze of Grace, and each anxious soul awaited the 
movement of the grand old vessel. But alas ! she 
remained perfectly fixed and undisturbed, nor could any 

tell what hindered. Finally, " Mother A " came 

into the meeting, and though her earthly vision was 
closed forever, her spiritual sight was keen and piercing. 
She saw at once the difficulty, and raising her tremulous 
voice, she cried in tones of great impressiveness, 

"Brothers, sisters, weigh anchor !" 

The words came like a divine mandate. Ah, yes ! 
here was the trouble. They were anchored fast to 
the world, and though prayers were ascending until 
the old ship was covered with their snowy wings, and 
though the breeze of Redeeming Grace was blowing 
favorably, they could not move for the restraint of the 
anchor. 

How often is this the case in the experience of the 
church of God, and how lamentable ! So-called Christians 
launch up the ocean of God's promises, and find power 
enough to sustain their craft ; but they are afraid to 
venture any further than the length of the cable, that 
anchors them to the mire and mud of the world. 

Reader, how is it with you ? Have you cast off all 
the shore lines ? Have you weighed anchor ? Are you 
out on the blue waters of the deep ocean, or are you 
paddling about in the eddies of the docks ? 



THE THREE WIDOWS. 279 

The effect of the dear old saint's words upon that 
meeting was at once perceptible, and a mighty baptism 
of the spirit followed. 

Not satisfied, however, that all had been accomplished 
that God desired, she took one of her little grand- 
daughters — eight years old — and directed her to lead 
her to every house in the village. 

It was done, and upon conversing personally with one 
and another, she found very many who were anchored 
to the follies of the world. 

These she exhorted to Christ, preaching regeneration 
by the washing of the living Word. 

It was the crowning labor of her life, for she went home 
and laid down to die. As day after day passed by and 
she neared the haven of heavenly rest, word was brought 
to her bedside of the conversion of this one and that one 
with whom she had labored. As each new name was 
added to the list, she exclaimed, with Simeon of old, 
" Now let thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes 
have seen thy salvation." In her dying moments the 
glory of God seemed to shine over the wrinkled visage, 
and as she fell asleep in Jesus, cried, " Death cannot 
make my soul afraid." 

She had long ago weighed anchor, and her soul, 
freighted with the glorious experience of an abiding 
Comforter, sailed over the trackless ocean of Everlasting 
Love, until it reached Home at last, in the harbor of 
Eternal Bliss. 

Reader, again we ask Have you weighed anchor ? 

It makes no difference what sort of cable holds you to 



280 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

the world. A thread of sin is quite as powerful to stay 
your motion, as the mightiest chain that Satan ever 
forged in hell. The question of importance to you is 
not, how strong the cable is, but what it is ; for until 
God gives you in the first place to see the nature of it, 
and in the second place the grace to sever the connec- 
tion — whatever it may be — you cannot advance a single 
fathom towards the far-away haven of Rest. Of one 
point make sure, no matter what particular form the 
hindrance takes, it is the World. 

" What ! are these innocent tableaux gotten up for the 
prosperity of the church, worldly ? Are they of the 
world, when they are in God's house and for His glory ? " 

Yes ! Not only of the world, but of Satan's choicest 
and most refined contrivance. Who told you that God 
gloried in such shams ? Where in the Word of Salvation 
do you find a license for such mockery in the House of 
God ? In what portion of the Holy Scriptures does He 
give consent to such methods of adoration ? 

Does Christ not say of the Father, " God is a Spirit ; 
and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and 
in truth" 

As the Jews were circumcised in the flesh, so Chris- 
tians are circumcised in the spirit, and Paul in the 3rd 
verse of the third chapter of Philippians says upon this 
matter, " For we are the circumcision which worship 
God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have 110 
confidence in the flesh" Again in Romans, seventh 
chapter, sixth verse, we are told, " that we should serve in 
newness of spirit" 



THE THREE WIDOWS. 281 

1 Ah, yes ! " cry the unconscious Pharisees of the 
modern fashionable church, " but you seem to forget 
that the means employed is sanctified by the object in 
view." 

This declaration is of a piece with the results its teach- 
ings produce. It is as void of truth as the devil is void 
of holiness. Clothe a thief in the sacred vestments of 
the priestly office, and he remains but a thief. Bring 
your worldly amusements into the church, and seek to 
sanctify them by saying, " for the glory of God," and 
they remain worldly in every particular ; in no whit 
changed — except for the worse — by the insult offered to 
God in supposing Him pleased that you "steal the 
livery of Heaven to serve the Devil in." 

Reader, are you anchored to the world by some worldly 
connection ? To you comes the words of John, " Love 
not the world, neither the things that are in the world. 
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not 
in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, 
and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of 
the Father, but is of the world." 

" All that is in the world ! " Oh, what a sweeping as- 
sertion ! Are you cognizant of its breadth, of its wide 
scope and compass ? 

What holds you to the anchor ? Is it dress ? Is it 
pride ? Is it desire for position ? Is it longing for 
wealth ? Is it cravings for other experiences than God has 
given you ? Is it love of children, wife, husband, rela- 
tives, friends ? Is it self, with all that the word means ? 

All these things, with thousands of others, are in the 



282 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

world. They are not of the Father. They are holding 
you back. You are anchored to the world. You are not 
acceptable in your service to God, because, bound with 
the chains of the world, you cannot worship Him " in 
spirit and in truth." 

You cannot buy yourself off from God's standard of 
judging. He has planned once and for all. He says, 
" Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by 
the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other 
way, the same is a thief and a robber." 

There is no compromise with the Lord of Hosts. No mat- 
ter how you dress the world ; no matter what form of 
holy vesture you place about the world • no matter how 
you seek to sanctify the means to the end ; God says, 
Whatsoever is of the world is not of the Father. Its 
character is not changed by the cloak you have given it. 

In view, then, of that wonderful declaration, " God is a 
spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in 
spirit and in truth," is it not time that all who profess 
the name of Jesus should cast off every connection with 
the world, "come out from among them," and live in the 
simple fulfillment of the divine mandate, strengthened 
thereto by divine grace ? 

"But," says the World, "you forget the Bible grants 
also that there is a time for everything under the sun ; 
and though it is perfectly proper to worship God in spirit 
and in truth, you must not expect us to be forever and 
eternally praying, and exhorting, and singing the praises 
of God." 

You are right, Q World ! we do not expect it of you ■ 



HARVESTING IN PLENTY. 283 

but we expect that Gods children shall be instant in 
prayer, in season and out of season, and that whatsoever 
they do, it shall be done to the praise of the glory of their 
risen Redeemer. 

" True, there is a time for everything, and the time for 
living to God's honor with the true professor of Christ is 
the present moment as it comes, looking to Him for 
the grace sufficient to sustain, to guard, to protect, to 
prosper the works of His hands in that moment. 

" Little children, let no man deceive you : he that doeth 
righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ,, 

Weigh the anchor ! Reader, if you have already tasted 
of the grace of God, and are sailing calmly and grandly 
upon the open sea of His love, trustful alike in sunshine 
and tempest, cry the warning words to those who are yet 
waiting, Weigh the anchor t 



HARVESTING IN PLENTY. 

The period of work, of which the incidents in the 
next sketch form but a small part, was one of the most 
refreshing seasons of gospel labor in Mr. Mowry's ex- 
perience — a season peculiarly blessed by work in God s 
order. 

" They hated me without a cause/' said Christ, and 
His words apply to every one who disbelieves the glori- 
ous truths of holy revelation in the Word of God. But 
they do not realize it. " What ! do you mean to tell me 



284 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

that because I do not coincide with everything the Bible 
says, that I hate God ? " cries the impenitent one. Yes, 
that is precisely what we mean to tell you. And further- 
more, we tell you it is possible for you to hate God and 
yet be unconscious of it. No law is hated, or becomes 
obnoxious to the evil-doer, until its restraining influence 
is exerted upon him ; until the law is enforced. One 
who is a thief by nature is not conscious of hating the 
law which makes thieving a felony, and punishable by 
severe penalties, until he finds himself, by his wicked 
acts, in the toils of the authority he defied — until he is 
under the penalty of the law. Then he hates from his in- 
most soul the very existence of that power which places 
a restraint upon the gratification of his natural propensity 
to sin. He hated it in reality before the commission of 
the deed, as far as his nature was concerned, which, being 
evil, was, in and of itself, antagonistic to all good ; but 
his nature did not convey a consciousness of its hatred 
until punishment brought the slumbering passion to the 
front. The flint, you know, does not show fire until the 
steel strikes it, and then, my ! how the sparks flash ! So 
with unregenerated natures, they hate God unconsciously. 
One afternoon Mr. Mowry attended a church prayer- 
meeting in a city where he was almost a total stranger. Very 
few, if any, in the meeting knew him either byname or repu- 
tation ; and he was therefore somewhat surprised, early 
the following morning, to receive a message from an in- 
fluential lady, desiring his presence with as little delay as 
might be. The missionary immediately hurried off to see 
what was required of him, as he was desirous of leaving 



HARVESTING IN PLENTY. 285 

the city the same day. Arriving at the house he sought, 
and being ushered into the company of his hostess, he 
was not kept waiting to know the object of his visit. She 
began at once : 

" I have sent for you, sir, to say that I consider your 
conduct at the meeting last evening contemptible in the 
extreme — such as no gentleman would be guilty of ! " 

" My conduct contemptible at the meeting last night ? " 
repeated Mr. Mowry, perfectly nonplussed at the very 
outset. 

" Yes, sir \ I'll repeat it if you desire to hear it ; I said 
1 contemptible' ! Do you call yourself a gentleman, and 
attack me as you did last night ? Don't you suppose 
when you looked at me everybody knew who you meant 
by it, and at whom your remarks were pointed ? The 
idea of holding me up to the public gaze in that manner ! 
It was contemptible, sir • outrageous ! " cried the lady in 
a state of excitement which was fast fanned into a 
towering rage by her vivid imagination. 

" Madam," calmly answered her visitor, who began to 
understand the truth of the case, "you will believe me, 
I suppose, when I say that I have not the slightest recol- 
lection of your being there. If I saw you and looked at 
you, it was nothing more than I did as far as every one 
else present was concerned. There was nothing personal 
in it, I can assure you." 

u What ! did you not come to the meeting intention- 
ally on my account ? " she cried, the color beginning to 
mount in her cheeks as she began to see the utter ground- 
lessness of her suspicion. 



286 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

" I never was in that meeting-room before in my life, 
and never expect to be again. As far as you are con- 
cerned, I never knew, until you sent for me, that any such 
person existed, and the words which you have appropri- 
ated as personally addressed to you, were thrown out at 
sinners in general — an arrow shot at a venture, but one 
which I see has found lodgment in a vital spot," said 
the missionary. 

Burning with confusion and shame, she acknowledged 
the hand of Providence in the entire incident, and re- 
solved, God being her helper, to enter into covenant 
relations with Him and to lead a different life. She be- 
came filled with zeal and earnestness for others. The 
necessity for the promulgation of the gospel became 
deeply impressed upon her, and she besought Mr. Mowry 
to remain a day or two, and labor with some of her un- 
converted friends. 

He consented, and the work grew in volume and inter- 
est with every succeeding day, until, after some three weeks 
work for the Master, he felt that he must return home. 
Accordingly he again made ready to depart, but God's 
ways and our choice do not always harmonize. 

Happy our lot if we submit ourselves to His guidance, 
throwing our choice, our plans, our prejudices to the 
winds, and accepting His ways, His leadings, and His 
dispensations with gladness. 

As Mr. Mowry was about leaving the scene of his 
labors, a young man whom he had known as a resident 
of his own village, approached him and said : 

" Mr. Mowry, you know you and I were always good 



HARVESTING IN PLENTY. 287 

friends, and though I do not like the message I bear, yet 
I bring it to you because I am friendly, and would not, 
under any consideration, wish to have the purport of the 
message carried into effect. ,, 

The missionary looked at him in astonishment, won- 
dering what was to follow, but making no reply to the 
other's introductory remarks. 

" The fact is," continued the young man, " I have been 
requested to tell you, from three men in the place, that 
unless you forthwith quit the town voluntarily, you will 
be carried out by force." 

For a moment Mr. Mowry stood buried in thought, and 
then, raising his eyes and fastening his gaze full upon his 
so-called friend, he said : 

" Young man, return to those who sent you, and tell 
them that I have left my home and business at no small 
sacrifice, to work among the perishing souls of this place. 
Once before I have wanted to go, but God said stay. 
This morning I was about to leave again, but I perceive 
God says there is more work to do, and I shall stay until He 
says 'go horned I should be glad to know who those men 
are who sent a message they dare not bring themselves." 

" I am not at liberty to tell you their names," was the 
reply. 

" Just as I thought. Well, tell them, whoever they are, 
I bear no malice, but I shall remain until some higher 
power than man says ' go.' " 

The discomfited messenger retired, and the missionary 
unpacked his valise, and went to work again with renewed 
energy and zeal. 



288 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

One day, as he was visiting from house to house, a 
family where he called insisted upon his remaining to 
dine with them. Mr. Mowry endeavored to excuse him- 
self on the ground that he was expected at the pastor's 
house to dinner. But they would take no refusal or ex- 
cuse, and accordingly he accepted the invitation — the 
more readily as he was desirous of the conversion of the 
head of the family, a man in whose case he had become 
somewhat interested. 

At the conclusion of the meal his host said : 

" If you will go about half a mile out of the direct way 
and through the woods, I will go with you." 

" A queer request," thought the missionary to himself, 
" but there is doubtless a purpose in it, and I will see 
what it is." 

They started off together, and upon reaching the thick- 
est part of the forest, came upon a rock of somewhat 
curious formation, which made a comfortable seat. 
Throwing himself upon it, Mr. Mowry exclaimed : 

" Now, , what did you want to say to me, for 

you evidently had a reason in selecting this circuitous 
way ?" 

The man finally acknowledged that he did have a pur- 
pose, and that it referred to the salvation of his soul. 

As the words were given, Mr. Mowry unfolded the 
theory of regeneration, simply yet forcibly, setting forth 
God's plan for the redemption of man through the all- 
sufficient atonement of Christ Jesus ; and as the story pro- 
ceeded the man's interest grew more and more intense, 
until he fell upon his knees and asked God's forgiveness 



ONE EVENING'S WORK. 289 

and cried for] mercy. The answer came speedily, and 
where the night of darkness was before, gleamed the 
brightness of righteousness. 

" Do you know, Mr. Mowry," he cried, " I was one of 
the three men who sent word to you to leave the place ? 
Thank God He did not let you go ! I know you will for- 
give me, since He has done so." 

The conversion of this man led soon after to the con- 
version of his wife also, and the time spent upon this 
evangelistic trip was ever regarded by Mr. Mowry as 
especially sealed by the spirit of the Almighty. 



ONE EVENING'S WORK. 

The story of the conversion of Mr. I , related in 

the following sketch, proves, when we are co-laborers 
with God,, how much can be accomplished by one even- 
ing's work. 

" You have your ideas on that subject, sir, and I have 
mine. I am willing other men should enjoy their opin- 
ions, and I want a like privilege. I allow no man to 
interfere with it, sir." 

The words rung out sternly upon the ear, and the face 
and manner were imperious to the last degree \ but Mr. 
Mowry had faced impenitence too often to be frightened 
by its roar, and replied calmly, yet with firmness : 

u You will excuse me, Mr. I , but your declara- 

13 



290 CO WORKERS WITH GOD. 

tion as to your own character is not in accordance with 
fact. There is no man in the town who allows his fellow- 
men less liberty of thought and speech than yourself. If 
you cannot compel them to think as you do in matters of 
political choice, you at least make them vote as you wish, 
or they are obliged to take the consequences of your dis- 
pleasure. You are known as the dictator. You are 
willing to allow men to think as they please and believe 
what they choose about religion, as though it were not of 
importance enough to matter one way or the other, while 
upon the subject of politics, State or municipal, you are 
intolerant of other men's opinions, and insist that 
their decisions shall run in your grooves. You have 
said that I have my ideas upon the subject of 
religion. It is true, and I am here for the purpose of 
presenting them to you, and urging your acceptance of 
them." 

The impenitent arose without reply and abruptly left 
the room, while his wife, who was present, trembled as 
she said : 

" Oh, sir, you must be extremely careful how you speak 
to my husband, for he is very violent when excited. " 

" Your warning is unnecessary, my dear madam," re- 
plied the missionary ; " I do not intend him any harm, 
and I am not afraid of his injuring me." 

But being seven miles from home, and darkness 
fast approaching, Mr. Mowry, thinking trie interview at 
an end, was about to take his leave, when the door opened. 

Mr. I appeared, and exclaimed in a less boisterous 

and pronounced manner : 



ONE evening's work. 291 

" I have concluded to hear what you have to say. I 
don't let our people talk to me ; I know them too well. 
Perhaps if you were one of my neighbors I would not let 
you do it; but as you are comparatively a stranger I'll 
hear what you have to say." 

As they were seating themselves, the door-bell rang, 

and Dr. M . an old steady-going professor of religion, 

entered. He was one of those Christians who aimed to 
do nothing out of the way, or, as some one remarked, to 
do nothing that was particularly in the way. 

Mr. Mowry, resolving to use him if possible, or at 
least prevent his being a hindrance, drove straight at 
the mark. 

" Dr. M , I have called to have a conversation with 

Mr. I on the subject of religion, and I am about 

to give my views in regard to it, in which you will 

doubtless concur. Mr. I , I am glad you have 

decided to hear what my opinions are, and I shall begin 
by saying I believe, first, in the existence of a Supreme 
Being, God, who is the maker and governor of the uni- 
verse. I believe that He has revealed Himself to man in 
His Word and Providences ; I believe that the Bible 
is from God, being, as it claims, the work of holy men, 
under the guidance and inspiration of the third person of 
the Trinity. 

" I believe, secondly, all that the Bible says about the 
origin and fall of man ; in the promises of a Saviour ; in 
his having been sent into this world, where he tasted 
death for every man. 

" I believe, in the third place, that, in consequence of 



292 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

the fall of Adam, we come into the world in a state of 
depravity, without holiness, and destitute of every spirit- 
ual grace. I believe that we are inclined to nothing 
higher than morality, and were it not for the word and 
spirit of God, we should never attain anything higher. 

" Fourth, I believe in the teachings of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, who said, ' Except a man be born again he can- 
not enter the kingdom of God ;" which new birth is the 
work of Almighty God, purchased for them who believe 
in the Lord Jesus Christ, by His own blood, that we 
might have forgiveness of sins and resurrection to 
eternal life." 

" Dr. M ," interrupted their host excitedly, " do 

you believe all this ? " 

"Certainly, Mr. I — — ; I fully concur with every word 
Mr. Mowry has said." 

" How long have you believed it, sir ? " thundered the 
questioner. 

" Why for the last twenty-five years, or thereabouts." 

" Well, sir, I'd be ashamed to confess it then, if I were 
you. You have lived neighbor to me for that length of 
time, and I never knew that you believed anything ; while 
here is a man who lives seven miles off, and comes to me 
to tell me what he believes and why he believes it. I 
don't know what you think of yourself. Go on, Mr, 
Mowry." 

" I believe, fifthly," continued his visitor, " in the exist- 
ence of two classes in this world : sinners, among whom 
we are all included by nature ; and saints, who are made 
so by the regenerating power of the Holy Ghost through 



ONE EVENING'S WORK. 293 

Jesus Christ, God's Son, whose blood cleanseth from all 
unrighteousness. 

" I believe there are two ways, the straight and narrow 
way, leading to eternal life, and the broad way, leading 
to hell. 

" Lastly, I believe ' It is appointed once for man to die'; 
that after death comes the judgment, and final separation 
of saints and sinners-— the former dwelling thenceforth 
and forever in the presence of God, the latter enduring 
eternal punishment in hell/' 

" Dr. M , do you endorse all this likewise ? " de- 
manded the now awakened I . 

" Yes, sir ; I do endorse it from the bottom of my 
heart." 

" Well, sir, I haven't much to say of your belief, but as 
for this man, he is at least entitled to my respect, how- 
ever much we may differ as to the theory he has advanced. 
You have told me what you believe, but I should like to 
know now why you do so," he added, again addressing 
the missionary. 

" I could give you a great many reasons why I believe 
these truths, but will refer to two of them only. In the 
first place I believe thus, because God's Word declares 
these statements to be the living truth, and I have faith 
in God's veracity. 

" Secondly, I believe them, because I have never seen 
anything to disprove them. Neither learning, nor 
science, nor nature, has furnished any reasonable objec- 
tion. On the contrary, I can say with Joshua, not one 



294 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

good thing has failed of all the Lord hath spoken con- 
cerning us — all has come to pass." 

Then followed a general discussion of Bible truths in 
which each one took part ; Mr. I becoming gradu- 
ally less and less venomous in his remarks, and more 
desirous of eliciting information upon a subject appar- 
ently new to him in its present aspect. 

Patiently and carefully, each point in the plan of salva- 
tion through the blood of Jesus was taken up in turn, 
and the objections to it met and disposed of, before they 
passed on to the consideration of another branch of the 
subject. 

Finally, at the end of an hour and a half, Mr. I 

earnestly and meekly asked Mr. Mowry to lead in prayer 
before they parted. This was done, and having sought 
Divine help in rendering the truth mighty to the dividing 
asunder of soul and body, and invoking His blessing 
upon their host, Mr. Mowry and the doctor took their 
leave together, the former receiving a hearty invitation 
to '• come again soon." 

As the missionary was unhitching his horse from the 
tying post, his companion said : 

" I cannot tell you how rejoiced I feel at the result of 
your work ; I have wanted for years to speak to Mr. 
I on the subject of his souPs salvation." 

" Have you indeed," dryly remarked Mowry. " Well, 
doctor, you will forgive me for saying, if you had not 
wanted to cure your patients more than you wanted to 

speak with Mr. I about his soul, they would have 

died every one of them. Good-night." 



one evening's work. 295 

How many Christians are like poor Dr. M ! They 

are forever seeing others doing work which they them- 
selves should have done. 

A religious drone feeding constantly upon the means 
of grace and making no effort to add to the general 
store, is a sad sight ; and yet how many such are dis- 
gracing the cause of Christ ! He went about doing good. 
They are perpetually applauding others for doing so, but 
never become active laborers in the vineyard themselves. 

The results of that evening's interview was to the glory 
of God. Meeting the pastor of the nearest church soon 
after, Mr. I requested him to appoint a prayer- 
meeting at his (Mr. I 's) house. This was done, 

amid general rejoicing and thanksgiving that the Lord 
had made bare His arm, that Christ had gotten the 
victory. 

The meeting was held and very largely attended. 

Mr. I confessed his sins in the sight of God and 

man, entreating Divine mercy and forgiveness. " Never 
did I feel the reality of religion and its innate power, 
until the evening Mr. Mowry explained his belief and 
his reasons for it," said he. 

Mr. I died a short time afterward, giving abundant 

evidence that he had made his calling and election 
sure — that he had indeed become a follower of the meek 
and lowly Jesus. 



296 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD, 



FIRE ! FIRE ! ! 

The subjoined narrative is not only graphic, but strik- 
ingly to the point : 

The cry of fire ! fire ! rang out upon the night air of a 
New England factory village. An engine company had 
been formed, and fire apparatus purchased for the pro- 
tection of the village some time previous. The members 
of the organization took turns in sleeping in the engine- 
house; each night found a sufficient number of 
" bunkers," as they are called, in charge of the premises 
to manage the engine should their services be required. 

As soon as the fire was discovered, a neighbor was sent 
to the engine-house to awaken the firemen. The messenger 
started off, and upon reaching the spot, knocked upon 
the door in a manner rather mild than anxious. Upon 
being admitted he said in somewhat drawling tones, 

"Come boys, turn out, there's a fire down street;" 
and took his departure. Upon reaching the scene of the 
conflagration, he found the flames rapidly doing their 
work, while the assembled multitude were powerless to 
cope with the devouring element. 

" Have you called the firemen ? " was the cry from a 
hundred anxious voices. " Where are they ? Why don't 
they come ? " asked others. 

"Y-e-s, I've called 'em," drawled the messenger; 
" they'll be here pretty soon I guess." But no firemen 
appeared, and another messenger was dispatched, while 
on all sides were heard denunciations at the outrageous 



fire! fire!! 297 

delay of the officials, in whose hands had been entrusted 
the safety of the village. 

The second messenger reached his destination, and 
bursting into the engine-house exclaimed at the top of 
his voice, 

" Fire ! Fire ! turn out men ! what's the matter with 
you ? can you sleep and let the village burn down about 
our ears ? wake up /" 

The men sprang from their bunks, and in a few 
moments the engine was tearing along on its way to the 
scene of destruction. But alas ! when they arrived it 
was too late. The house was so far demolished that it 
was impossible to save it, and angry glances mingled 
with expressions of contempt were universal, as the crowd 
demanded the reason of their delay. 

" You must blame the man you first sent to call us," 
cried the spokesman of the company; "he came in 
quietly, and said, 'come b-o-y-s, there's a f-i-r-e down the 
s-t-r-e-e t,' much in the same manner that a woman 
would sing a baby to sleep. We didn't believe he was 
in earnest — in fact thought he was joking — therefore we 
didn't stir, and you would have done the same, if you had 
been in our places. But when the second man came, we 
saw he meant what he said, so we ran as fast as we could. 
If you had sent him in the first place we might have 
reached here in time to have done some good." 
********** 

A better illustration of the different methods of pre- 
senting the message of salvation never was given. Some 
gospel workers approach sinners in precisely the same 



298 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

manner that the first man called the firemen. They tell 
the truth, to be sure, but tell it in such a listless 
way that no one believes them in earnest, and their 
words have no effect. If you would work for Jesus, you 
must work with the whole heart and soul in your labor. 
If you would awaken sinners, don't say with deferential 
manner, as though you were afraid of hurting Satan in the 
flesh, "My dear sir, your soul is in danger of being 
burned up ; don't you think you had better attend to it ? " 
but rush in upon their self-righteousness, their pride, 
their slumbering conscience, shouting, " Fire ! ! fire ! ! 
awake ! awake ! for to-night thy soul is required of 
thee ! " 

Make sinners know that you are in earnest. Make 
them feel that you are fully aware of the danger. Give 
them to understand that there is no trifling in the 
message you bring, but that it is a call to action. 

Reader, if you are a gospel-worker, work! If you 
desire the salvation of sinners, be earnest in your work. 
Lay kid-gloved evangelism aside. You are fighting for 
the Lord Jesus Christ It is a warfare in which you are 
engaged. The cry of "fire!" has rung out upon the 
startled air ! Be in earnest. 



HOW A DEAD CHURCH WAS MADE ALIVE. 

We conclude the chapter by relating in a short inci- 
dent the difference between working with self, and 
working with God. 



HOW A DEAD CHURCH WAS MADE ALIVE. 299 

Having occasion to call one day upon a tradesman, 
Mr. Mowry's attention was directed toward two gentle- 
men who were conversing in the store about the spiritual 
standing of a certain church. 

One of them finally summed the matter by asserting 
that the church " was dead, and twice dead, and plucked 
up by the roots.' ' 

His manner and his knowledge of church usage and 
discipline seemed to indicate that he might be a member 
of that dead church ; therefore, as he was about to quit 
the store, the missionary stepped up and said : 

" I have heard your description of the church you have 
been discussing, and I would like to know whether you 
are a member of it ? " 

" Yes, sir, I am. May I venture to ask why you desire 
to know ? " 

" Certainly ; I was simply wondering whether or no 
you were any better than the rest of the members.' 

" Well. I don't know that I am." 

" Then," cried Mowry, " I know what your condition 
is ; you are ■ dead, and twice dead, and plucked up by 
the roots ! My advice to you, sir, is, that you go home 
and remain there until you are a better man." 

The gentleman took his departure without replying; 
evidently deeply mortified. After Mr. Mowry had con- 
cluded his business and retired, the gentleman returned to 
ask the proprietor of the store "who that man was, 
and where he lived." Receiving the information de- 
sired, he again took his leave. At the first meeting of 
the church he arose, confessed his folly, acknowledged 



300 CO-WORKERS WITH GOD. 

his dereliction in the performance of God's work, and 
pledging himself, by the help of God, to lead a more 
conscientious Christian life, urged the whole church to 
awaken to the great necessity of earnestness and zeal in 
the Master's cause. 

The conviction was so deep and the work of grace in 
his heart so evident, that the entire audience was melted, 
and a revival at once commenced. 

The pastor of the church, at the request of the gentle- 
man, called upon Mr. Mowry, and earnestly entreated 
him to spend the Sabbath with them. After much 
solicitation he consented, and the visit was extended to 
an entire week, which proved rich in the outpouring of 
God's Spirit manifested in the conversion of sinners. 



PART SECOND. 

MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES.. 

I. 

How true it is that " the natural man receiveth not the 
things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto 
him." 

Men would be ashamed of their judgment should they 
apply to matters of business and temporal thrift the 
same standard of action which they employ in estimating 
the value of divine truth. 

The secret lies largely in the fact that man is a merce- 
nary being, whose ideas of value enter into almost every 
waking thought. His actions are shaped with reference 
to the monetary worth of any scheme or theory. His 
very dealings with his fellow-men are tinged by this in- 
bred idolization of "what the thing is worth," whether 
the " thing " be a man or a piece of real estate. 

From the formation of Aaron's golden calf up to the 
present hour, men have bowed down to Value, and 
worshiped it. 

Christ said, " What shall it profit a man if he gain the 
whole world and lose his own soul ?" The Christian learns 
to appreciate the value God has put upon the soul, but the 
natural man sees with other eyes. Ask him to appraise 
the value of certain goods in his immediate line of trade, 



302 MISCELLANAOUS SKETCHES. 

and he will split hairs with you for a few paltry dollars ; 
but seek to convince him of his need of Christianity, and 
of its inestimable worth ; try to show him how God re- 
gards his precious soul ; and he mentally queries, " What's 
the thing worth ? " and acting upon his own judgment of 
it, answers "nothing." 

But does he apply the same rule of judgment in both 
cases ? Oh, no. In the matter of the perishable goods 
he does not estimate their value, because he personally 
fancies them, or because they are in accordance with 
his ideas of what they ought to be, but because others 
fancy them, and are willing to buy at a handsome profit. 

In the matter of his soul's salvation, however, he argues 
just the reverse. He does not care what God estimates its 
value, so long as he personally is not in sympathy with 
Him. In the first case, he does not assume to judge of the 
worth of the article by his own prejudice, either for or 
against ; he accepts the verdict of others, and coolly 
pockets his predilections with the profits. In the 
second instance, he insists upon being wiser than Almighty 
God even, and holds to his own opinions with tenacity. 

How like man's miserable inconsistency ! The follow- 
ing sketch very clearly illustrates this truth : 



A MATHEMATICAL DECISION. 

" We shall never agree on that point, for in my opin- 
ion the criterion of right and wrong is a man's own con- 
science, and no higher standard exists." 



A MATHEMATICAL DECISION. 303 

The speaker, a certain County Surveyor, had frequently 
been approached by Mr. Mowry, who invariably pre- 
sented the Word of God as a practical test of right 
and wrong. Whosoever denies the necessity of an abso- 
lute standard of government in religious and moral 
life, is very apt to pass one step further, and deny the 
Bible likewise as the revealed Word of God. Such a 
course robs the world of Christ, and renders salvation 
through the atonement merely an idle fable. 

But modern " Free Thought " cares nothing for Christ, 
or the atonement, or salvation, or heaven, or God. It 
seeks merely the erection of an intellectual Tower of 
Babel, whose foundation rests upon man's intellect, and 
whose building material consists of deductions drawn 
from the quarries of Logic and Rationalism. 

But it is hard to kick against the pricks. Sooner or 
later comes a time in the experience of every human 
being, however cultured, however rooted in skepticism, 
when the truth of the soul's relation to God becomes a 
living reality, not to be evaded or contradicted. Well 
for the soul if it awakens to this terrible reality before 
the day of mercy has passed away ! 

" By the way, I had a peculiarly unpleasant piece of 
business on hand yesterday," said Mr. Mowry's acquaint- 
ance, giving the conversation a different turn. 

" What was it ? " inquired the missionary, on the alert 
for something to lead back to the former subject. 

"Well, two parties, owning very valuable farms adjoin- 
ing one another, have long been at loggerheads about a 
corner boundary. One of them claimed that the line, 



304 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

as it then existed, deprived him of a certain number of 
feet of ground, which, reckoned on the frontage of the 
farm, and extending one whole side of it, made a very 
great difference in the value of his property. The other 
opposed any change whatever, declaring the lines repre- 
sented by the fencing, to be perfectly correct. 

"Now they had always been firm friends up to the 
time this dispute arose, and as each was a personal friend 
of mine, why, naturally, I did not relish the job of 
deciding the dispute for them." 

" It certainly was not a pleasant position to be placed 
in. What did you do ? " inquired Mr. Mowry. 

" I tried to get out of it, but they would take no ex- 
cuse. They said they wanted the ground surveyed, and 
the lines accurately determined, then they would abide 
the result. Of course I knew one or the other of them 
was destined to be disappointed. They couldn't both be 
right ; and though each one agreed beforehand to abide 
unhesitatingly by my decision, still it was bound to make 
some unpleasantness in the mind of the defeated party. 
But it was a matter of business, and I determined to deal 
with it as such. The deeds were brought, the necessary 
work gone through with, and the stakes driven in accord- 
ance with the result of my investigations, and then the 
parties to the dispute met in my office to learn the 
result. 

" * Well, I was right, wasn't I ? ' said one. 

" 'What's your opinion about it now ?' asked the other. 

"Gentlemen,' I replied, 'as far as I'm concerned, I've 
got. no opinion to express. My instruments, which cannot 



A MATHEMATICAL DECISION. 305 

be mistaken, have decided between you, and here is the 
result of their accurate work. There is no gainsaying 
the?iu as you'll both allow, and my opinion would neither 
alter nor amend the truth which their mathematical 
exactness establishes." 

"A capital idea on your part," exclaimed Mr. Mowry; 
« but " 

" But what ? " asked the other, as the missionary 
paused. 

"But it is rather strange that in the matter of a 
little real estate, involving an earthly friendship and a 
few dollars in money, you * had 710 opinion ' of your own — 
absolutely none —while in the matter of right and wrong, 
as connected with the eternal well-being of your soul, you 
are willing to accept no criterion but your own opinion. The 
former must not be judged by your decision — the mathe- 
matical instrument must decide the claim — but as to the 
latter, oh, well, you say, my own ideas are accurate enough 
to determine the truth ; I don't need God's word. But 
it is the only infallible instrument by which mankind may 
always decide between right and wrong — between their 
finite minds and God's infinite wisdom ; and may the liv- 
ing God give you to use it in determining the boundary- 
line of your own immortal soul ! " 

For the first time in his life the arrow pierced to the 
heart, and the surveyor turned away to hide the confu- 
sion he could not overcome. 



306 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

II. 

TOTAL DEPRAVITY AND FATALISM. 

Men very often subscribe thoughtlessly to a theory or 
doctrine whose practical application they utterly refuse to 
abide by. 

There is a vast difference between advocating a theory, 
and illustrating it by a living exposition of its tenets. 

Fatalists ofttimes are extremely .warm in the presenta- 
tion of their particular ism \ but if you seek to apply its 
teachings to them as individuals, they writhe under the 
lash with an energy which leaves small room to doubt 
the reality of their emotion. 

The doctrine of total depravity needs no stronger en- 
dorsement in proof of its truth than the existence of Fa- 
talism. 

Fatalism is but an alias of Phariseeism, and no avowed 
believer in its doctrines ever lived who did not come under 
the denomination mentioned by Christ in the following 
terms : " Woe unto you, scribes, pharisees, hypocrites ! " 

Passing through one of the wards of a hospital, Mr. 
Mowry entered into conversation with a patient. He ap- 
peared to be a man of some education and refinement, 
but beneath all his remarks ran a hypocritical undercur- 
rent of Fatalism. Finally he came out with the assertion : 

" I believe what is to be will be, and that we can't 
alter anything. I believe the position I am in now is 
right, because it was to be ; and no matter how much I had 
tried to prevent it, the result would have been the same." 



HEAD AND HEART. 307 

u Do you apply this reasoning to every event of life ? " 
" Yes, to everything ; it is a divine principle." 
" It is divine bosh, and you neither do nor can believe 
it. If a friend should borrow a sum of money of you, 
promising to pay it in a few days, and should fail to meet 
his engagement, you would doubtless call upon him and 
ask the cause of his failure to keep his word, would you 
not?" 

" I suppose I should be very likely to do so." 
u Now suppose your friend coolly says, ' Why, my dear 
fellow, the time for payment has gone by, and you see I 
haven't paid you. Of course u what is, was to be," and in 
accordance with your divine principle, it's all right, and 
you have no reason to grumble.' ' Come,' you would re- 
ply, • a joke's a joke, but you promised to pay me that 
money, and I want it' ' Ah, true ; but I am not going 
to give it to you ; it was fated to be so.' Now, what 
would you do about it ? " 

" Do ! I'd make him pay me, whether he would or 
no ! " exclaimed the other with flashing eye. 

" I thought you would, but Fatalism wouldn't," said 
the missionary, quietly turning away. 



III. 

HEAD AND HEART. 

One Sabbath morning Mr. Mowry called for a man 
with whose family he had been laboring spiritually, as 



308 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

well as aiding in the temporal affairs of life, and invited 
him to attend church. The invitation was accepted, and 
as they walked along the other exclaimed : 

" Oh, I shall never be a Christian ! I don't expect it." 

" Don't expect it ! Why not, pray ? " 

" If you will put your hand up to the back of my head 
you will have that question answered." 

Mr. Mowry did so, and discovered a deep scar some 
three or four inches in length. 

" An ugly wound, friend ; but what has that to do with 
your becoming a Christian ? " he said. 

" Oh, my father was a man of influence and wealth, 
and he intended to educate me for some profession ; but 
you see this wound injured both my body and mind, and 
my memory is so poor and my reasoning faculties so im- 
paired, I cannot be a Christian." 

"You are mistaken my friend. Christians are not 
made so either through the reasoning faculties or the 
memory, but through the heart. It matters not in God's 
sight whether your memory is good or bad, so long as 
your heart is right and pure." 

The truth opened a new desire in the man's soul. He 
was constant in his attendance upon the means of grace, 
and was ere long made happy in the consciousness of 
sins forgiven, and acceptance in the sight of God. 



HYPOCRISY DEFINED. 309 

IV. 
HYPOCRISY DEFINED. 

The following characteristic incident will doubtless 
be read with interest, serving, as it does, to illustrate 
the reasoning of a large class of persons who, priding 
themselves on their purity of purpose, are thoroughly 
blind to their real condition. 

Upon one occasion Mr. Mowry went to the town of Willi- 
mantic, Ct, to spend a few days in gospel work in connec- 
tion with the pastor of the leading Congregational Church. 

Mr. Mowry found him anxious for a revival season, 
but desirous of shielding his friend against unpleasant 
experiences in the prosecution of the work. He seemed 
to dread the influence of a certain man — as Christian- 
workers sometimes do — and said to Mr. Mowry, 

" Mr. A., residing in street, is one of the most in- 
fluential men we have in many respects, but he is terribly 
antagonistic to religion. He is so opposed to it, that he 
will not allow any one to converse with him on the subject. 
You may as well save yourself insult and indignity by 
omitting to visit him." 

Mr. Mowry always made it a rule to be guided by 
his own convictions as to the method of presenting the 
truth, and the time, person, and place fitted for the work ; 
and believing that a person desirous of extinguishing a 
conflagration, must go where the fire is burning, he 
acted upon the idea, and walked directly to the house 
indicated by the minister. The gentleman himself came 



310 MISCELLANEOTS SKETCHES. 

to the door, and seeing an apparent stranger, stood 
waiting to learn his business. 

" Mr. A., you perhaps do not know me ; my name is 
Mowry, from Bozrahville, Ct." 

Mr. A ., thinking perhaps he might have known or met 
him before, accordingly invited Mr. Mowry in without 
further parley. Once seated, the missionary said : 

" Mr. A.. I am spending a few days in Willimantic, 
my business being to converse with persons on the sub- 
ject of religion, and I could not very well pass you by." 

" Well, sir ; I shall tell you as I have told others ; I 
am no hypocrite. I cannot do the thing I have not the 
disposition to do. I have not the disposition to be a 
Christian and therefore I sha'n't attempt it. There's no 
hypocrisy about me, I can tell you ; " and he settled 
himself back in his chair as though he would say, *' There, 
get over that fence if you can." 

At this moment the door opened, and a little child 
just old enough to walk, " toddled " into the apartment. 

Nothing could have been more opportune. 

" Whose child is this ? " asked Mr. Mowry, stroking the 
curly head. 

"Why, mine." 

" Well, sir ; if you felt it to be for the child's benefit 
that it should do a certain thing you would so command 
it. When you had told the child to do it, suppose it 
should look up into your face, and reply, ' Papa, I'se no 
hypokit. I ain't got the disposition to do it, and I can't 
do what I'se no disposition to do.' What would you say 
to it?" 



AT THE LORDS TABLE. 311 

" Say ! " he thundered, bringing down his foot upon 
the floor with a jar that echoed to the very roof-tree, 
" Say ! I would tell it to do it, and to do it till it did 
have the disposition." 

" You would ? Then if you make a rule for the 
government of a mere infant, which you will not submit 
to in your own case, it is all I need know of your charac- 
ter, to disprove the claim that you are no hypocrite, and 
I bid you good-day, sir," and without another word Mr. 
Mowry withdrew, leaving the seed sown to spring up and 
bear fruit in God's own time. 



V. 

AT THE LORD'S TABLE. 

Some years since, a young lady was observed to be a 
regular attendant at the Lord's Table, but at the same 
time a non-communicant. As she was a member of the 
church, and to all appearance an earnest and exemplary 
Christian, Mr. Mowry was led to inquire about the rea- 
son of her strange refusal to partake of the commemora- 
tive elements of the Feast of Love. 

" Oh, Mr. Mowry," she exclaimed, " I have such a 
fear of eating unworthily ! You know what Paul says 
in the eleventh chapter of first Corinthians about it. 
4 He that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and 
drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's 
body.' Whenever I come to the Communion Table, I 
do so long to eat and drink of His feast, and then the 



312 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

thought 'you are not worthy' comes up in my mind, 
and I cannot. How often I have determined in my own 
heart to cast aside all fear, but when the time came, that 
passage in Corinthians would present itself and my 
courage would fail, and I would be obliged to go from 
my Father's house, miserable and hungry." 

" My dear young woman, why do you single out the 
sacrament of the Lord's supper as requiring a peculiar 
state of mind above and beyond all other acts of 
worship ? You might with equal propriety absent your- 
self entirely from the house of God —cease praying to 
Him or even contemplating. His attributes in your own 
soul, for it requires the same state of heart to partake 
of the Lord's supper, that is necessary to the acceptable 
worship of Almighty God in prayer, or in our daily 
walk as Christian men and women." 

" Oh, I wish I might think as you do," she said, with 
a deep sigh. 

" If my ideas are in accordance with Bible teaching, 
there is no reason why you may not think as I do, is 
there ? The Bible requires that we should seek his glory 
not alone in the celebration of the Lord's supper, but 
you will find in the tenth chapter of first Corinthians, 
thirty-first verse, these words : " Whether therefore ye 
eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of 
God." The ordinances of the church are designed to 
show neither our worthiness nor our righteousness, but 
to aid and strengthen us in the faith of Christ." 

" Why then the declaration of Paul in regard to our 
eating unworthily ? " 



WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, ETC. 313 

" You forget to whom the passage refers. It does not 
include us at all. God's children cannot eat and drink 
unworthily. It is of those who know not Christ, who 
have never been born again, who have not become 
reconciled with God through their acceptance of the 
precious gift of His Son, that the Apostle Paul speaks. 
If a man, having fellowship neither with Christ nor his 
people, should partake of the sacramental feast, it would 
be blasphemy in the sight of God, and such a one 
would eat unworthily." 

The eyes of the faint-hearted one were opened. She 
acknowledged her mistake, and the next season of 
communion found her at the Lord's Table, trusting in 
Him to make it a means of grace to her soul. She was 
not disappointed, and from that hour was a more faithful, 
trusting, and childlike follower of Him who said, " This 
do in remembrance of me." 



VI. 



"WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH SO ALSO 
SHALL HE REAP." 

No truth of divine revelation is more terrible to 
contemplate than that contained in the title of the 
incident which is about to be given. The absolute cer- 
tainty of the punishment of sin — the fact that a day of 
harvest will surely come to the transgressor— when the 
seeds of wickedness shall produce a crop of judgments 
H 



314 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

awful to contemplate and still more awful to endure, 
should give pause to the most hardened sinner. 

Oh, that mankind would realize that God's word is 
true, and that his judgments are sure. 

Day by day we receive ample demonstration of this 
terrible truth on all sides. Men are reaping the whirl- 
wind all over this broad land. Sin is being recompensed 
after its kind, and yet, in the midst of the plague, the 
brazen serpent is uplifted. Why will men refuse to look 
and live ? Why will the dog return to his vomit, and 
the sow to her wallowing in the mire ? 

How long, O Lord — how long ! 

During the time Mr. Mowry was " keeping the store " 
at Bozrahville, a family, living near by, numbered 
among its members a youth of fifteen. Mr. Mowry 
repeatedly urged him to attend Sunday-school and church, 
but invariably without success. It was a great puzzle 
to the missionary that one who was so amiable, should 
manifest such a repugnance to religious instruction. 
At length the mystery was solved. 

Mr. Mowry had for some time missed articles of 
value from his stock of goods without obtaining a clue to 
their whereabouts. 

Circumstances finally pointed to young Asa , the 

youth above mentioned, as the thief. Mr. Mowry could 
scarcely believe the chain of circumstantial evidence 
inculpating the lad, but being a heavy loser it was 
necessary the depredations should be stopped by the 
apprehension of the criminal. 

Accordingly Asa was sent for and charged with the 



WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, ETC. 315 

theft. He was apparently astonished and indignant. 
Mere denial, however, did not satisfy Mr. Mowry in 
the face of strong criminating circumstances, and he 
informed Asa that he must go with him and search the 
contents of his trunk. Asa at once refused, saying " he 
did not allow any one to overhaul his things." The 
choice was then given him, to go quietly with Mr. Mowry 
or have the house inspected by virtue of a search- 
warrant. He chose the former course. 

Upon arriving at the young man's home, a large trunk 
was found containing goods of all kinds, including 
costly shawls, dress patterns, etc.; while at the bottom of it 
were forty-eight quarter dollars which he had from time 
to time abstracted from the money-drawer. Mr. Mowry 
quietly took out everything belonging to himself, and 
doing them up in a bundle, turned to the young criminal 
saying : 

"Asa, you are very young to be guilty of such a 
terrible crime. The law would send you to State Prison 
for a number of years for this offence ; but I am going 
to be merciful, and forgive you, if you will solemnly 
promise me, in the sight of God, never again to trans- 
gress His law in this matter of stealing." 

" Oh, Mr. Mowry, if you won't have me arrested, I will 
promise you never again to do such a thing ! " and the 
youth begged for mercy with tears streaming down his face. 

" I told you, Asa, I was going to have mercy upon you. 
You have committed a great wrong ; you have injured 
one who never did you an unkind turn in your life. It 
would be nothing more than right and just should I hand 



316 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

you over to an officer, and let justice, whose claims you 
have set at naught, be satisfied. Now, just so God deals 
with sinners who acknowledge their faults, who confess 
their sins, and beg for mercy and forgiveness. God says 
to them, if I were to let justice take her course, you would 
be cast into the pit of hell, to be damned to all eternity ; 
but because you have begged for mercy, and because 
Christ has made it possible for me to exercise it, I will 
forgive you, and pardon your fault for His sake. 

Let this be a warning to you, Asa, to seek not only my 
forgiveness, but God's also, for the great sin you have 
committed. As far as I am concerned, you are forgiven, 
and are free to go ; but if it is ever repeated, this too 
shall appear against you." 

Shortly after this occurrence the family moved from the 
village, and settled in the town of Willimantic. Here for 
six years they continued to reside. Asa was apparently 
respected by every one, and walked so circumspectly that 
nothing remained to be wished for in his moral bearing. 
Finally, it began to be noised around among the mer- 
chants of the place that they were losing goods out of 
their several stores. Not a single dealer in the town 
escaped, and in each case a watch was at once instituted 
over the clerks in the different establishments, but all to 
no purpose. 

One day an incident happened which subsequently 
furnished the clue to the whole matter. The postmaster 

of the town, Mr , was in the habit of leaving the key 

in the door, as he was obliged to lock the office up when- 
ever he wished to go to his meals. Upon this par- 



WHATSOEVER A MAN SOWETH, ETC. 317 

ticular occasion Mr. was obliged to leave the office 

earlier than usual and was about to lock the door after 
him when, behold, the key had vanished ! He was not a 
little staggered at the loss, being confident that he had 
left it in the keyhole. How to account for its disap- 
pearance he could not tell. There was, however, but 
one course to pursue. He could not go away and 
leave the office unprotected, and it was necessary, there- 
fore, to wait until some one in whom he had confidence 
came in who would agree to remain there until he re- 
turned. 

He went back into the office, busying himself in 
some manner, when he heard a rattling at the door, as 
if a key were being inserted in the keyhole, and he sprang 
to see what it meant. When he reached the spot no one 
was near, but there was the key in its usual place. Mr. 

looked up and down the street, but no one was in 

sight save Asa, who was sauntering leisurely along, 
apparently perfectly unconcerned. 

It was certainly a queer circumstance, but was soon 

forgotten by Mr. , who did not mention it to any one, 

being loath to cast suspicion on any person where abso- 
lute proof was impossible. 

Shortly afterward one of the residents of the town, 
having occasion to be out at a late hour, saw a light in 
the store of Mr. Clark, a prominent dry goods dealer, and 
wondering what could induce the merchant to work so 
late, opened the door and exclaimed, " Hollo, Clark, 
what are you up to at this hour of the night ? " Imme- 
diately the light was blown out, and the stillness of death 



318 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

reigned in the place. The man immediately went to Mr. 
Clark's house, and calling him up, informed him that 
some one was in his store. Together they at once sought 
the scene of action, only to find the door locked, and 
everything apparently as it ought to be. They went in, 
however, to make a thorough examination, and there, piled 
up on the counter, was a quantity of the most valuable 
goods in the place, ready to be taken away. 

The attempted burglary was at once the talk of the 
whole town, and all the merchants of the place came for- 
ward and acknowledged the loss of many dollars' worth 
of valuable property, which had disappeared without any 
clue to its whereabouts. 

What was to be done ? The postmaster finally hap- 
pened to mention the incident of the key, and at once all 
eyes were turned toward young Asa. He had been among 
them six years ; had lived an irreproachable life as far 
as they knew ; but was in the habit of dressing in the 
most fashionable and expensive manner; and was always 
liberal and free with his money, which appeared to be 
plentiful ; while he did nothing for a livelihood. His 
parents were moderately well-to-do people, but could not 
support him in the style he was living ; and thus putting 
one link and another together, it was determined to get 
out a warrant and search his house. This was accord- 
ingly done, and the result justified the procedure. Goods 
were found belonging to every merchant in the village, 
and keys fitted to every store door were likewise discov- 
ered, together with a skeleton key almost completed for 
the door of the post-office. 



GOD'S OVERRULING PROVIDENCE. 319 

He was at once arrested, and as it was seventeen miles 
to the nearest jail, was placed in charge of two officers 
until the following morning, when he could be transported 
to the place of confinement. It was agreed to take turns 
in watching the prisoner through the night, but, despite 
the caution exercised, the criminal cut his throat from 
ear to ear, and was barely rescued from death by the 
prompt action of a physician who was at once called in. 
He was tried in due time, and convicted. He received a 
sentence of five years' imprisonment in the State Prison 
at Wethersfield ; and after giving the authorities there 
more trouble than all the rest of the convicts together, 
died in his cell, impenitent and destitute of God even as 
he had lived. He had sown the seeds of sin, and had 
reaped the benefit thereof. 



VII. 
GOD'S OVERRULING PROVIDENCE. 

When God seeks the accomplishment of His purposes, 
how utterly all opposing forces are swept away ! No mat- 
ter how powerful they may be, one sweep of the Almighty's 
resistless hand and they disappear like forest trees in the 
track of a whirlwind. What an awful thing it is to stand 
in the way of the Living God ! What terrible reckless- 
ness ! 

The overthrow is as certain as the hour of His coming. 



320 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

The destruction as complete as the annihilation of Sodom 
and Gomorrah. How truly may we exclaim with David, 
" Thou, even Thou art to be feared, and who may stand 
in thy sight when once thou art angry ? " 

The captain's adopted daughter was the acknowledged 
belle of the town. Spirited, vivacious, overflowing 

with animal life, she led the young people of W 

in her train as a merry queen would dominate her obe- 
dient subjects. Her influence was so powerful and wide- 
spread that whatever was to take place of a social nature 
must first be submitted to her approval, and her advice 
in the matter be obtained. Should she enter into the 
spirit of the proposed affair, it was sure to be a grand 
success ; should she frown upon it, those of her set 
l: threw cold water" likewise, and it was either given up, 
or carried out to prove a miserable failure. 

Her adopted parents were willing subjects at her 
shrine, and though her father occupied a leading position 
in K., and attended one of the wealthiest churches in all 
New England, yet so great was her influence over him he 
was fain to offer but feeble opposition to any scheme 
she chose to fancy or adopt. 

The pastor of the church was a young and pious man, 
who saw with grief that this girl's influence was greater 
among the young people than his own. Despite his utmost 
efforts to lead them into a serious and anxious state of 
mind upon religious topics, he was obliged to acknowledge 
his total failure. He tried every plan which his fertile 
mind could invent in order to win the girl herself to Christ, 
feeling that could she but be brought to the Saviour, the 



GOD'S OVERRULING PROVIDENCE. 321 

whole train would perhaps follow her into the sheep- 
fold. 

She was blessed with a beautiful vocal organ, and led 
the choir, consisting of about a hundred fresh young 
voices; but even in God's house she could not be quiet 
and reverent ; and following her example, no sooner did 
the sermon commence than the entire choir was in a state 
of hilarious uproar, oftentimes to the extent of interrupt- 
ing the services, and disturbing the entire congregation. 

The young minister was in despair ; he felt that their 
conduct was an insult, not alone to himself but to God 
Almighty 7 . The former he could bear with complacency, 
but the latter he could not endure. He had almost 
determined to give his charge up to the care of an older 
and more experienced man, when the voice of God 
seemed to say to him u wait ! " and remembering the 
words, " My grace is sufficient," he resigned himself to 
the unfolding of God's Providence. 

All at once it began to be noised abroad that a grand 
wedding was to take place at the Captain's. The belle 
was to be married, and all the place was wild over the 
details of the approaching ceremony. 

It was to be the grandest affair ever witnessed in that 
part of the country. Twenty bridesmaids and grooms- 
men were to attend the young couple at the altar, and 
rumor was busy with descriptions of the gorgeous 
costumes to be worn on the festal occasion. 

The twenty bridesmaids met and appointed a com- 
mittee to proceed to the city of Providence and purchase 
the material for the dresses, which were to be all alike, 



322 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

white and spotless. This was done, and industrious 
fingers plied the needle, while all was anticipation and 
delight. 

The belle herself was everywhere, giving instruction to 
this one, encouragement to another; advice here, reproof 
there ; in short, in her element. 'Twas true her cheeks 
bore a bright hectic flush ; but that was attributed only 
to the excitement incident to the moment ; the gay laugh 
rang out upon the air in rippling bursts, and indeed all 
went merry as a marriage bell. 

But ah! there was death in the air. The avenging 
angel was hovering, unseen by mortal vision, over the 
Captain's home. The bright flush deepened ; the merry 
laugh grew fainter ; the lustrous eyes became heavy ; and 
the darkened bed-chamber told a story of sickness and 
pain. But it was only a temporary illness, brought on 
by the overstraining of the nervous system ; 'twould pass 
away shortly, said her friends ; and the preparations for 
the wedding went on as busily as ever. But day followed 
day, week succeeded week, and an ominous hush fell 
upon every heart, for the news was told with bated 
breath, the belle was dying ! 

Where had the roses of her cheeks flown ? Death had 
plucked them. Where, the ripeness of her full red lips ? 
Ah, the cold kiss of Death had been there too. Yes, 
the belle was only an inanimate form of clay, cold and 
motionless ; her voice had rung upon the ear of friend- 
ship for the last time, but still there remained a work to 
be accomplished through her, more glorious than any 
which her life had produced. 



GOD'S OVERRULING PROVIDENCE. 323 

The wedding day came, and with it the groom, 
the twenty bridesmaids and groomsmen, and all 
that had been bidden to the feast ; but where was the 
bride ? 

Silently lying upon a bed of flowers, she looked the 
embodiment of a sculptured dream. Oh, what a lesson 
of the uncertainty of life ! of the necessity of working 
while it is called to-day. 

Who of those gathered there could give a reasonable 
hope that she had gone to the realms of the blest ? Her 
pastor, who had labored in vain to point her to Christ, 
could not ; her parents, who had loved her too dearly 
to thwart any plan she proposed, could not ; her com- 
panions, with whom she had passed so many careless 
hours, bent only upon the pleasures of life, could not ; 
the young man, who was to have called her by the sacred 
name of wife, could not. 

One and all were filled with the terrible majesty of 
God's power. Never in the annals of that town had 
such a solemn funeral cortege been known. The twenty 
young girls, clad in black instead of white, walked side 
by side the coffin, and when the burial-place was 
reached and the remains of their once loved but thought- 
less friend was lowered into the silent grave, their weep- 
ing was so vehement, and their grief so poignant, it found 
vent in cries which were heard at some distance from the 
scene. 

The following Sunday the hymns were read, but not 
sung in the church. The spirit of the Living God was 
there in mighty power, and the revival, for which the 



324 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

young pastor had been praying so long, began at 
last. 

The young man whose betrothed had been taken 
away, was the first to give his heart to God. Her two 
parents followed in his footsteps, and the influence spread 
in every direction like the overflowing of a mighty river. 
Scores upon scores were brought under conviction, and 
found forgiveness in the atoning blood of Jesus. 

It was during this revival that Mr. Mowry was led to 
see the worth of the soul, and to accept Christ as his 
guide and saviour. 

In all, over a hundred members were added to the 
church, verifying the truth of the words, "God moves 
in a mysterious way his wonders to perform." 

Here we have an example of the very agency which, 
to all human foresight, was to work incalculable ruin to 
the cause of righteousness ; being overruled by God's 
providence and made to minister to his own infinite 
honor and glory. 

How such teachings come home to the soul of man ! 
Oh, what a powerful, Almighty God is ours ! Shall we 
then faint in well doing ? Shall we grow weary by the 
wayside ; or shall we not cry with Job, " Though Thou 
slay me, yet will I trust Thee." 



A RECORD BEGUN. 325 

VIII. 

A RECORD BEGUN. 

The work in the inquiry-room reveals the fact that 
many who are anxious to become children of God, are 
under the impression that they must be converted full 
grown in Christ ; and because they are conscious that 
such is not their experience they become discouraged 
very often at the commencement of their career. God's 
order is development, growth. " First the blade, then 
the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." A true con- 
version is simply a record begun. 

" Can you give me some book that will tell me how to 
be a Christian ? 

Such were the words of one of the inmates of the 
Raymond Street Jail, as, passing from cell to cell, Mr. 
Mowry fed to the prisoners the Bread of Life. 

In answer to the missionary's question, the young man 
said : 

u Before the war I was not only a teacher, but also 
assistant superintendent of a Sabbath-school. When 
the rebellion broke out I enlisted in the army and went 
to the front. At first I used to read my Bible and pay 
strict attention to religious duties \ but camp life, and the 
excitement of army experience, soon made me careless, 
then indifferent, and at last entirely neglectful of prayer 
and the Word. I went all through the war, going in as 
a private and coming out as lieutenant-colonel. If my 



326 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

record for God was only as good as for my country I 
should be better satisfied." 

" Your record as a soldier was made after you enlisted, 
wasn't it ? " 

" Yes, of course." 

" Exactly so with the spiritual warfare. The question 
is not what you have done or been, but what you are 
and will be. Will you enlist as a soldier of the cross, 
depending on Christ to help you make the record you 
desire ? " 

" I think I am ready and willing if I only knew what 
to do." 

" The book you inquired for at the beginning of our 
conversation will tell you what to do ; and that book is 
the Bible. I will leave it with you until I come again. 
Read Christ's interview with Nicodemus in the third 
chapter of John, and you will learn what is necessary to 
become a Christian. Turn then to the fifty-first Psalm 
and there you will be told the way a sinner should feel 
about sin, and how he is to approach God. Let nothing 
divert your mind from this purpose of seeking the 
Lord, and seek till you find." 

On the following Lord's-day the man was clothed 
and in his right mind. He had enlisted, and though 
not perfect in the requirements of the code, nevertheless 
he was a soldier. His record had begun. 



RESISTING THE SPIRIT. 327 

IX. 

RESISTING THE SPIRIT. 

In the spring of 1858 Mr. Mowry visited a man who 
was sick with consumption nigh unto death. He had 
expressed a wish to see the missionary, and seemed 
overjoyed that his desire had been gratified. 

Conversation had scarcely shaped itself to any settled 
form when the invalid produced a tract, remarking as he 
did so, " It expresses in part my state and feeling exactly. 
The subject of it was the danger of resisting the Holy 
Spirit until it should take its final departure. 

" Have you then consciously resisted the Spirit of the 
Living God ? " asked the visitor. 

"Alas ! yes," was the reply, while the tremulous voice 
and anxious eyes told how heavily the matter weighed 
upon his heart. " Yes, many times I have known what 
it is to hear the voice of the Almighty calling me to 
come to Jesus \ but I have studiously refused to listen, 
choking it and rendering it inaudible whenever it has 
pleaded with me. Now, when I have not long to live, 
I am anxious to be at peace with God, but the voice of 
the Spirit is silent, and I fear I shall never hear it 
again. What shall I do ? " 

" You are mistaken, my friend ; the still small voice is 
not silent, but speaking to you through the very desire 
which makes you hunger and thirst after righteousness. 
Before we can appreciate mercy we must understand the 
claims of justice. Christ died for you when you had 
neither asked him to or knew of it, and the Holy Spirit 



328 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

came year after year and time after time, to urge salva- 
tion upon you, but you prayed to be excused, saying, ' Go 
thy way for this time ; at a more convenient season I will 
hear thee.' " 

" Alas, yes ! it was all my fault." 
" True, but you did not so esteem it ; therefore it be- 
came necessary for God to fill you with an overwhelming 
idea of justice. The gentle pleadings of the Spirit were 
removed, and in their place you began to hear the terrible 
denunciations of justice. You are being made to 
realize your standing before God, in order that you shall 
appreciate the mercy of His forgiveness, the sweetness of 
His pardon. ' 

" Do you indeed think there is pardon for me?" 
" I have no right to any opinion about it, for God him- 
self has answered your question. He says, 'After so 
long a time, if ye will hear my voice, harden not your 
hearts ; ' again, l He that seeketh findeth, to him that 
knocketh it shall be opened.' " 

" But is it not possible to delay too long ? " 
" It is ; and therefore the greater reason for delaying 
no longer." 

" But I feel so weak and miserable in the sight of God." 
" I am glad of it, for such only find acceptance with 
Him." 

Some sinners are greatly afraid of trusting them- 
selves to God after the enormity of their sins become 
known to them. Realizing to some extent the evil of 
their ways in God's sight, forgiveness and pardon seem 
to be too Godlike for God even, and they hesitate and 



A GOOD INVESTMENT. 329 

vacillate between doubt and fear, until finally they can 
hold out no longer ; in the words of the hymn, 

" I can but perish if I go, I am resolved to try ; 
For if I stay away I know I must forever die." 

And thus it was with this dear soul. Desiring peace 
with God, yet fearing to abandon all to His power, 
he resolved to pierce the cloud and seek the sun- 
shine one moment, but drew back from the shadow the 
next. Oh, what a state of torment ! But how sweet 
the final repose ! Braving all, at length he resigned 
himself to the will of God, and found rest, peace, and 
joy. He died in happy consciousness of a Saviour's 
love, going into the shadow of the valley, leaning on 
the staff of the Beloved. 



X. 

A GOOD INVESTMENT. 

" It pays to serve the Lord," said a friend. 

Did you ever think how much it paid ? The subjoined 
sketch serves to indicate that serving God is indeed a 
good investment. 

A young man was lying upon a bed of sickness, whose 
nature was less painful than protracted. Being visited 
by the missionary, the old, old story was introduced and 
commented upon. The conversation at length turned 
upon the subject of reward here and hereafter. 



330 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

" Is it not an evidence of the love and goodness of 
God that whosoever f orsaketh the things of this world for 
righteousness^ sake shall receive an hundred-fold here in 
this life, and in the world to come life everlasting ? " 

"Surely," said the sick man, "you have made a mis- 
take in the quotation ; it doesn't say in the Bible that 
we are to receive an hundred-fold more in this world, 
does it ?" 

" Yes, it does, my good friend ; in the 30th verse of the 
10th chapter of Mark, you will find the words, "But he 
shall receive a hundred-fold now in this time;" and have 
you ever thought how much that is ? w 

" No, I do not know that I have." 

'•'Well, an hundred-fold is just ten thousand per cent! 
Now tell me if you ever heard of any other investment that 
could pay such a profit as that ? Whatever is intrusted 
to Almighty God draws interest at a rate which would 
bankrupt any other source of gain. But although we are 
to receive ten thousand per cent, on our investment here, 
who is able to compute the per cent, in the life over 
there ? " 

Urging his acceptance of Christ, the missionary left. 

Their next meeting was some two years afterwards. 
The sick man had grown well, the emaciated frame had 
become stout and robust, and the pale face ruddy with 
health. Almost the first words which he said were : 

" Thank God, I've been drawing my ten thousand per 
cent ! " 



RUNNING ON TIME; OR, RAILROAD RELIGION. 331 
XL 

RUNNING ON TIME ; OR, RAILROAD 
RELIGION. 

A deacon of a leading church asked Mr. Mowry one 
evening to relieve him by leading the weekly prayer-meet- 
ing in his stead. The missionary declined politely, but 
firmly. 

" You must have some reason for refusing my request, 
and I should be very glad to know what it is." 

" Since you press me on the point I will tell you. I do 
not conduct prayer-meetings by the hour." 

u Prayer-meetings by the hour ! What on earth do you 
mean ? " 

" I mean this : you are in the habit of conducting your 
meetings here on one set form and mould. They are re- 
quired to be just one hour in length, and no matter what the 
state of the meeting is when the time is up, the Doxology 
is sung, and the audience dismissed. Is it not so ? " 

" Well, our folks are perhaps over-punctual." 

" Very true ; you are quite right," answered Mr. 
Mowry, " for I have noticed on several occasions you 
have closed the exercises five minutes previous to the stip- 
ulated hour for fear they might possibly run a minute or 
so over time." 

" Will you conduct the meeting provided all time re- 
strictions are removed ? " 

'* Yes, I will be glad to do so." 

" Then be good enough to assume charge, and continue 
it as long as your judgment tells you it is advisable." 



332 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

Accordingly the missionary conducted the services. 
When the customary hour for closing arrived, he arose 
and said : 

" If any present are obliged to go or desire to leave 
the meeting, opportunity may be had at this time to 
do so ; but as the interest has just fairly begun, I should 
be gratified, and I have no doubt all will be benefited, if 
we remain together a little longer." 

No one left the room, and the exercises continued for 
half an hour longer. The result was that four young men 
spoke who had never before taken part in the meeting. 

The method of conducting prayer-meetings by the clock 
instead of by the evidences of God's spiritual presence, is 
the rule in many of our churches, and has frequently 
resulted in harm. 

The leader of a meeting who, knowingly, in the face of 
growing interest and the visible manifestation of God's 
power, dares to hinder or interrupt such influence by 
closing the service because a set time has arrived, is re- 
sponsible before God for whatever evil results spring from 
the adoption of such a course. 

Mr. Mowry was always severe in his strictures upon 
such leadership, and never omitted reminding his hearers, 
when circumstances seemed to warrant it, that Jacob 
prayed all night, and Paul preached all night in the ad- 
vancement of God's glory. An incident in connection 
with these railroad prayer-meetings may not be out of 
place. 

A church meeting at Greenville, Ct, had adopted this 
hour system, and in every prayer or exhortation made 



RUNNING ON TIME j OR, RAILROAD RELIGION. 333 

on the occasion of Mr. Mowry's visit, reference was made 
in some manner to " the hour we spend here," or " this 
hour when we are assembled together in Thy name." 
The missionary, at the close of the meeting, accosted one 
of the deacons of the church with whom he was to spend 
the night, saying : 

" Mr. M , you may go on without me; I am going 

to have another meeting before I retire. I will come by 
and by ;" and taking his hat, he sauntered off alone down 
the street of the village. Finally, as he passed along, the 
eounds of singing grew audible, and then, as the melody 
became distinguishable, the sweet songs of Zion broke 
upon the ear, and the missionary resolved to enter the 
house from whence the sounds proceeded. He did so, 
but the singers ceased their music as he entered the 
room. 

" Do not stop. I came in because I heard you prais- 
ing God, from whom all blessings flow," said he. Again 
the voices swelled out full and clear, and hymn after hymn 
ascended to the throne of grace. 

At the conclusion of the singing, Mr. Mowry conversed 
with each personally, and found one whose heart was de- 
sirous of salvation. He was led to make an earnest effort 
in her behalf, and after prayer and exhortation, bade all 
good night, and went home to the deacon's. The result 
of this improvised meeting was first made known to him 
ten years later, through the reception of the following 
letter from Fredericksburg, Va. : "Dear Sir — I have 
this day united with the Church of Christ, and go back 
for my hope to that evening you called at our house in 



334 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

Greenville, Ct., ten years ago. I felt I could not do less 
than let you know that you were the instrument in the 
hands of God, in leading me from darkness to light.' ' . . 



XII. 
UNCONSCIOUS PREACHING. 

" Go ye into the world and preach the gospel." Be 
certain the world is watching all the time ; are you preach- 
ing all the time ; everywhere ; at every time ? Many a 
powerful sermon has been preached when he who taught 
was all unconscious of the lesson he was teaching. 

And what a power there is in unconscious preaching ! 
It is living truth, aud it always strikes home. It is power- 
ful, because it is purely of the Spirit ; there is nothing of 
self in it. No idea of applause enters into its character. 
It is unartificial, of God, and therefore accomplishes 
that whereunto it is sent. 

A short time ago a member of a struggling church in 
the city of Brooklyn had occasion to visit Newark, N. J., 
on business. As he was passing along the streets of the 
latter city, he noticed a man and boy, mounted upon lad- 
ders, engaged in painting the front of a house. They 
were dressed in ordinary rough overalls, such as painters 
use, and were evidently absorbed in their work. Some- 
thing induced the gentleman to look up as he was passing 
by, and scan the painter's face. To his utter surprise be 



UNCONSCIOUS PREACHING. 335 

recognized in the person of the supposed mechanic his 
own pastor and his son. 

For some time the clergyman had received no salary 
from the church, and having a large family to support, he 
was either obliged to work with his hands, or throw him- 
self upon the sympathies of his friends. He chose the 
former course, and had left his home in Brooklyn for 
three weeks, every morning, spending the day as a 
common house-painter in Newark. His prayer meetings 
were led by him as usual, and the Sabbath sermons were 
as powerful as ever. His congregation knew nothing of 
his work, and nothing of his want, until the story leaked 
out. It was the most powerful sermon he ever preached 
— this patient, uncomplaining, unconscious discourse on 
the top of the ladder, with a paint-brush for a text. . . . 

Dear reader, we must live very close to God if we would 
preach unconscious sermons. The following incident is 
a striking example of the power which lies concealed in 
unconscious preaching : 

Some years since, a Jew, advanced in years, was con- 
fined in one of the cells of Raymond Street Jail, in the 
city of Brooklyn, awaiting trial for some petty offence. 
Mr. Mowry, attracted by the man's venerable appearance, 
spent many hours with him from time to time, conversing 
on the topic of Christ as the Messias of the Jews, the 
Saviour of all who believe. From obduracy tl man 
passed slowly to a state of interest, which grew with each 
day, but did not culminate in accepting Christ as a 
personal Saviour. 

Finally, one day, Mr. Mowry found him radiant with 
joy. Upon asking the cause, the prisoner said : 



336 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

" I have found Christ to be my Saviour ! " 

"Well may you be happy then ; but how were you en- 
abled to accept the gift God has so long been urging 
upon you ? " 

" I will tell vou. In the next cell, as you know, is a 
youth whose conviction must result in a sentence of from 
ten to fifteen years' hard labor in the State Prison. The 
pipe which you see passing from cell to cell through the 
mason work is not fitted so tightly but that I can hear 
anything that is said in his cell, ihe sound coming quite 
audibly through the holes around the pipe. A day 
or two since the young man's father came to see him, and 
I overheard the conversation that ensued. The son was 
urging the father to swear upon the trial that he was at 
home during the entire night upon which the deed oc- 
curred. * If you'll do that,' he cried, 4 I'll get off spite 
of all they can do.' " 

" What did the father reply ? " queried Mowry. 

" He answered, i My boy, I am ready to give the last 
cent I've got to get you free, but I will not swear to a lie 
to save your iife.' When I heard that, it set me to think- 
ing. I speedily came to the conclusion that he possessed 
something which I did not, and I resolved to ask God to 
give it to me. I did so, and because I asked what God 
was pleased to do, I'm happy and rejoicing." 



THE PRODIGAL SON. 337 

XIII. 

THE PRODIGAL SON. 

" I never gave the Prodigal Son any credit for going 
home to his father's house," observed Mr. Mowry ; " he 
remained away just as long as he could stand it ; and it 
was only when the famine got so sore that it was ' go or 
starve/ that he made the best of it, and turned his face 
homewards." 

To those who advocate and teach free agency, to the 
exclusion of Divine sovereignty, there is a very plain les- 
son in the parable of the Prodigal Son, 

Men often proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as 
the " Whosoever will " gospel, as though all the merit of 
conversion was to be extended to the recipient of the gift 
rather than the giver. 

Such teaching is absolutely false as a representation 
of God's manner of dealing with the human soul. " Ye 
have not chosen me, but I have chosen you," said the 
Saviour to his disciples. The glory of the regenerate 
man's position as a son of God is due to God 
only. Free agency never creates a position ; it merely 
accepts what God has already created. Free agency 
never primarily chooses regeneration through Christ 
Jesus ; but it says, in answer to the offer of salvation, " I 
accept the position. " 

While proper realization of the position of man as 
a free agent responsible to God, bears with it a certain 
sense of dignity and honor, it also harmonizes per- 
i5 



338 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

fectly with true humility, and clearly comprehends the 
illimitable grace of God in choosing us to the praise of 
His glory. 

Some years ago a young man commencing business 
under very promising circumstances was advised by 
Mr. Mowry to beware the folly of attempting to do 
anything without God's guidance and help. 

" Oh, that's all very well for you to say, Mr. Mowry, 
but I've got no time to waste upon religion. If I had 
nothing else to attend to I might think about it, but I 
don't believe in mixing things up. Business first and 
pleasure afterwards is, my motto," he exclaimed with 
evident disinclination for further conversation on the 
subject. 

" Your views may suit your present mode of thinking, 
but they do not correspond with the Bible," quietly 
observed the missionary. 

" I don't care whether they do or not," and turning 
upon his heel he abruptly put an end to the inter- 
view. 

For four years they never met, but one day, towards 
dusk, Mr. Mowry was in at a store with the proprietor 
of which he was acquainted, and this young man 
confronted him. He was greatly changed, both as 
to appearance and manner. The former had lost 
its dapper show and surface, the latter most of its 
self-sufficiency and bombast. He desired a few 
moments' conversation. The missionary declined on* 
account of the lateness of the hour ; the other insisted, 
and gained his point. He stated that he had proved 



THE SICK ONE. 339 

the truth of Mr. Mowry's former advice. Scarcely 
four months after their first interview, he lost every 
dollar invested in his business. Every thing he 
had subsequently undertaken, miserably failed; and 
he became so disheartened and discouraged, that at times 
he had been tempted to raise his hand against his own 
life. He added, 

" I have made up my mind now, that I will accept 
your advice as the first step out of my trouble.' ' 

One month later his testimony was, " I would not give 
my present happiness for all the wealth I once possessed." 



XIV. 
THE SICK ONE. 

u You are very sick ray, friend ; do you know it ? " 

No, the listener was not aware of the fact. Nothing 
had convinced him of the existence of disease. He was 
apparently in the best of health, and the consciousness 
of sickness was entirely foreign to him. 

" You are nevertheless ill and need medicine ; will you 
take it ? " 

" Why should I take a nauseous dose ; I feel as well 
as ever I did in my life ? " 

" Do you not think I, being a physician, know more 
about your physical condition than you do yourself ? I 
am positive that your entire system is out of order, and 



340 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

unless you heed my warning and take the remedy, you 
will pay for it with your life." 

Sinner, you are sick unto death. You do not know it 
in your pride of life and lust of eye ; but God says it, 
and the Great Physician prescribes a remedy. But the 
Flesh says, " I never felt better in my life." God replies, 
" Unless you trust my judgment and accept my medicine 
you shall surely die." The Flesh replies, " But I do not 
love medicine; it is unpalatable and bitter to the taste." 
God says, "The remedy is the only one which insures 
life ; choose between life and death ! " 

What is your answer to be ? The seeds of death have 
been sown in you and are doing their work of destruc- 
tion. Will you take the means God supplies for arrest- 
ing their progress, or will you die ? Choose. 

Divine Sovereignty presents the medicine. Free 
Agency takes it. 



XV. 

CREDITOR AND DEBTOR. 

Have you received a receipt in full of your old account 
with God ? Has a settlement been made between you ? 
Can you look all men in the face and say with calm 
assurance, " There is therefore now no condemnation to 
me, for I am in Christ Jesus ? " 



CREDITOR AND DEBTOR. 341 

There is perhaps in all the experiences of the Chris- 
tian's earthly pilgrimage, no parallel to the exalted 
exuberance of joy which is realized by the souFs first 
consciousness of acceptance with God through the 
merits of Christ Jesus. 

But it is the unalloyed delight of a babe in Christ, not 
the deep, deep upwelling of the soul's later experience • 
not that phase of realization which drew from Paul the 
exclamation, " From henceforth let no man trouble me, 
for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus." 
It is the first joy of sonship, of adoption, of recon- 
ciliation with the Living God. 

How exceedingly precious to think that we may 
be the instruments in God's hand, to lead souls into the 
realization of this joy. 

Reader, are you pressing the necessity of immediate 
settlement between the creditor and debtor ? Are you 
using every effort to induce men to settle God's claims 
by accepting the quittance he has provided ? 

Oh, be earnest in this matter, that you may be a 
partaker of the joy which fills heaven over the conversion 
of each soul to God. 

******** 

" There's no further need of discussing this subject ; 
I've made up my mind in regard to it, and shall dismiss 
it from my thoughts for the present at least." 

Such were the words of a talented young lawyer, after 
several interviews with Mr. Mowry upon the subject of 
religion. He had seemingly been very much interested, 
and, to all human perception, was almost ripe for the 

*5 



342 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

kingdom, but suddenly his entire manner changed; 
interest was supplanted by apathy, hope by indifference, 
and it culminated in the language above quoted. 

" You say you have finally settled the matter in your 
own mind ; but I presume you will not refuse to hear a 
few words in illustration of your case as it stands before 
God at the present time ? " 

" It will be time wasted ; nevertheless you shall 
fire the last gun if you wish it." 

With no notice of the method of permission employed, 
Mr. Mowry at once availed himself of it, and said : 

" A certain man who was the heavy creditor of 
another, came to him in a friendly manner, saying, 
' Friend, we have been running an open account for a 
long time ; the balance is largely on my side, and I must 
urge an immediate settlement.' The debtor, displeased 
at the thought of being called upon for payment 
until he saw fit of his own free will to settle the claim 
in his own way, answered, 'Oh, the account's all 
right ; of course I owe you this sum of money, but I 
guess there is nothing urgent as to payment. I guess, 
as it has run so long, it won't do any harm to stand 
out a little longer until it suits my convenience to 
settle it.' 4 But I have already waited long after the 
account is overdue, and it is treating me shamefully to 
postpone settlement any longer, especially as I possess 
positive information that you are abundantly able to 
discharge the obligation if you choose. Therefore I 
demand an immediate settlement of my claim.' * Well 
sir, while I acknowledge the validity of your claim, I 



CREDITOR AND DEBTOR. 343 

propose to pay it when I get ready.' Then the 
creditor, becoming impatient at such unmerited treat- 
ment exclaims, ' Sir, if you refuse to come to an 
amicable adjustment with me to-day, it will be too late to- 
morrow — it will have passed into the hands of an officer, 
and you will be compelled not only to settle my claim 
to the last farthing, but you will be obliged to pay 
the costs of court also.' Such, my dear friend, is your 
position before God now ; the opportunity is given you 
to-day to settle the account between your soul and its 
Divine Creditor ; perhaps by to-morrow it will be 
too late— it will have passed into the unrelenting hands 
of justice, and you will be delivered over to the officer, 
and settlement must be made with him. Will you not 
pay your just dues to Almighty God to-day ? Will you 
harden your heart still ? n 

The illustration was evidently keenly felt ; but being a 
person of determined will, and having " made up his 
mind," he remained obdurate, and they parted, to go their 
separate ways in life. 

Over a year had flown by, and amid the ever-changing 
experiences of Mr. Mowry's gospel-work the incident we 
have just related had been forgotten, when one day the 
lawyer entered his store, apparently in no particular haste 
to transact whatever business he might have ; he could 
wait until Mr. Mowry had attended to the wants of the 
other customers. His manner, so unlike his old impetu- 
osity, failed to attract particular notice from Mowry, who 
busied himself with various duties, until finally, the 
other customers being servecj anc] having taken their de- 



344 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

parture, the two were left alone together. Even then Mr. 
Mowry did not say anything about religious matters. 

At length the lawyer began to grow restive ; he could 
no longer stand the strain upon his nervous system, and, 
coming close to his old opponent, he said, in a tone of 
intense earnestness, 

Mr. Mowry, the officer's come ; what shall I do? " 

" Settle it in the only way open to you ; throw yourself 
upon the mercy of the court ; plead guilty, and beg the 
Judge to withhold the terrible sentence of stern justice," 
was the reply. 

"Oh, but I'm afraid it's too late." 

" I do not say it is not, neither dare I say it is ; I can 
only say try." 

The old bravado was gone : self-reliance had vanished ; 
the man stood before God and his own conscience a 
miserable, guilty, but at last a repentant sinner. He was 
terribly in earnest ; perhaps a more powerful case of 
conviction was never seen. Yes, he would take the 
advice; he sued for mercy, acknowledging his guilt 
with meekness and repentance. God was graciously 
pleased to forgive him, and from that hour to the time 
of his death he lived a consistent Christian life. 



TWO CONVERSIONS, ETC. 345 

XVI. 
TWO CONVERSIONS, 

SHOWING OPPOSITE WORKINGS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

Noticing a man of some little prominence, though a non- 
professor of religion, at one of his meetings, Mr. Mowry 
took the opportunity to call upon him the following day, 
and question him as to his state of mind. 

" A very interesting meeting last evening, was it not ?" 
began the missionary, after the usual salutations had been 
exchanged. 

" Well, yes, it was rather so," was the cautious reply. 

"I presume you were conscious of greater personal 
interest than is habitual, were you not ? " 

u No," was the abrupt and instant rejoinder ; " I never 
felt less concerned, personally, in all my life than I did 
then and do now." 

" Why is this so ? Do you doubt either the reality of 
religion, or the necessity for it ? " 

" No, I won't say that. I have never doubted either 
its truth or its usefulness ; but I have never felt inclined 
to attend to it. I suppose I shall get to it some time, 
however, before it's too late." 

" What prospect has the future in store, judging of the 
growth of your inclination in the past ? You are now 
above thirty years old ; you admit that you never doubted 
either the reality or necessity of religion ; and yet you 
affirm that never in all your life did you feel so little in- 



346 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

terest in the subject as now. How long will it take you 
at this rate to 'get to it/ as you say?" cried Mr. Mowry 
earnestly. 

"I admit, as you present it, it has rather a bad 
look." 

" You are right, friend ; it does have a bad look ; and 
I propose that right here, before we go any further, we 
kneel down and ask God to give you the inclination to 
seek His face." 

He did not wait for Mr. Mowry to take the lead, but 
immediately, as if struck by the convicting power of the 
Spirit of God, fell upon his knees, and cried aloud to the 
Almighty for help and for deliverance. 

But the answer did not come. It was not God's time. 
Nevertheless the awakened one remained true to the 
new desire implanted by the Holy Spirit, and un- 
ceasingly besought the Lord to hearken unto his cry, and 
speak the word of power and peace to his agonized soul. 
It was some weeks before God saw fit to bid him look and 
live ; but when the voice of consolation spake, the work 
was instantaneous. From the moment of his apprehen- 
sion of Jesus he was anew man in Christ. 

Often inexperienced Christian workers are at a loss 
how to handle the subject. Those with whom they are 
laboring present different results under the same treat- 
ment. One person receives light almost upon the point 
of awakening to the necessity of it ; another, poignantly 
realizing the necessity, earnestly longing for deliverance, 
is obliged to endure the most terrible anxiety of soul be- 
fore God says " Peace ! be still ! " Why should this be 



TWO CONVERSIONS, ETC. 347 

so ? cries the earnest worker. Christ answers you : " The 
wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound 
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it 
goeth ; so is every one that is born of the Spirit." Who 
shall say why to God ? " It is not by might nor by power, 
but bv my Spirit, saith the Lord." Therefore, if the 
question is presented to you, counsel faith in the promises 
of God, and bid the anxious one wait in fear and in trem- 
bling. Let the answer be delayed as long as God deems 
it wise and fitting, one fact remains indisputable : when 
the change does come, it is accomplished in the twinkling 
of an eye. It is instantaneous. 

In the case given above, the time between convic- 
tion and conversion was a season of prolonged 
agony ; but ah ! when peace did come, it was all the 
sweeter ; and, as usually happens, the thought which gave 
him great wonder was that he had not sooner longed for 
a joy whose intensity was so exceedingly great. 

But, as we have said, God sometimes calls the soul and 
places it in commission at one and the same act, making 
conviction and conversion almost identical. A case of 
this nature may be cited among the incidents of Mr. 
Mowry's experiences at Bozrahville. 

A young and sprightly woman, residing in the village, 
seemed possessed of an evil spirit, which led her, at all 
times and upon all occasions, to make light of everything 
relating to religion. So great was her power in 
repartee and sarcasm that every one seriously inclined 
dreaded to come in contact with her. One day, hear- 
ing the voice of some one weeping bitterly as they 



348 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

passed along the street, Mr. Mowry went to the door to 
see who it might be. What was his surprise when he dis- 
covered Fanny , the greatest trifler in all the place. 

She had been smitten almost as suddenly and strangely 
as was Paul. 

On her way to the mill where she was employed the 
voice of God greeted her, and in an instant she saw her- 
self before the eyes of her Maker a miserably guilty and 
impenitent sinner. 

Never was a soul in greater agony over the first con- 
sciousness of its own depravity, and she- was induced to 
return home, where in a short time no less than fifty per- 
sons assembled in prayer for her conversion. 

Mr. Mowry waited until the rest had taken their de- 
parture at the conclusion of the meeting, and then fol- 
lowed Fanny to her room, where she had gone evidently 
no less disturbed in mind than before the season of 
prayer. Her cries and groans were pitiful in the ex- 
treme, and it became evident they must be stopped, or 
her physical system would undergo serious if not irrepara- 
ble injury. 

" Fanny," exclaimed the missionary, as he entered the 
room and walked straight up to her, " you must stop for 
a moment at least, and hear what I have to say to you." 

With a deep sigh she turned her face toward him, and 
awaited, as with weary resignation, what should follow. 

" Fanny, think now upon Jesus only ; look upon Him 
on the Cross at Calvary ! See, Fanny, there are five 
wounds — bleeding wounds ; and his life-blood is flowing 
for you and for me. Hark ! He speaks ! He says, ' I 



TWO CONVERSIONS, ETC. 349 

have loved you unto death ; can you not love me unto 
life ? ' Can you not love Him, Fanny ? Does he ask too 
much ? " 

With every part of her inner nature speaking through 
her fixed gaze, she stood in rapt emotion, as though her 
Saviour was visibly hanging on the Cross before her 
eyes. 

" I can love Thee, my Saviour ! " she cried at length, 
with streaming eyes and tight-clasped hands ; " I do love 
Thee ! Oh, why have I not done so before ? " 

Perfectly oblivious to every surrounding circumstance 
and presence, she seemed lifted above the confines of 
earth, into the very presence of the Glorified One. Fear 
and anxiety vanished, and in their place came a peace 
so deep, so real, so satisfying, that she afterwards said 
no language could describe it. 

Thus within a few hours the entire work of God in con- 
viction and conversion was accomplished. 

Christian worker, leave results with God. Be earnest 
in what he has given you to do. Do it with all your 
might, having an eye single to His glory ; but " having 
done all, stand," as Paul says. Remember, you can- 
not formulate the mysterious workings of the will of 
Almighty God. Settle down with implicit confidence 
upon this one glorious truth, He Knoweth ! To whom 
be honor and praise forevermore. Amen. 



350 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES 

XVII. 

THE BEST CREED. 

When Paul went to Corinth, he was obliged to rebuke 
the church severely for the spirit of dissension and 
quibbling which had broken out amongst them. Though 
Christians, they were not occupied with the glory of 
God, but were striving to establish the supremacy of their 
earthly teachers, Paul, Apollos, and Cephas. They had 
descended to the walk of doctrines ; they were given up 
to the rule of isms; and were in imminent danger of 
losing their right to be called Christians through their 
envy, strife, and carnality. 

But the state of Corinth in the days of Chloe was one 
of unbroken harmony compared with our modern anarchy 
of Isms. What would Paul say were he brought in 
contact with the sectarian spirit of " civilized Christianity 
to-day ? " 

Where would he turn, amidst the multiplicity of creeds, 
to give assurance of his testimony to the truth ? 

Would he not overthrow all these factions — for they are 
but little else — and, pointing to Christ, say, " Behold the 
Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world ! " 

Over the pulpit in the chapel in which the widely- 
known " Fulton Street Prayer-Meeting " is held, are 
these words : 

Jesus Only. 

Would to God those who profess to love Him would 



THE BEST CREED. 351 

adopt this motto as their watchword, and go forward in 
the power of Christ to everlasting victory. 

What have you to do with the isms of the schools ? 
What have you to do with anything but Christ in His 
fulness ? 

" Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that 
the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? " 

Throw aside forever the spirit of division and dis- 
cussion. Preach Christ and Him crucified — not Method- 
ism, Episcopalianism, or any ism of man's ministration. 

Mr. Mowry was one day asked, by one whom he knew 
to be a Romanist, what he thought of the Apostles' creed. 

" I think very well of it ; but there is one I like better," 
he replied. 

" One you like better ! Oh, I suppose you mean the 
Protestant creed." 

" No, I do not ; for it is not Divine, anymore than the 
Apostles' creed is." 

" Well, what creed are you talking about, then ? " 

" Christ's creed," answered the missionary calmly. 

"I didn't know Christ had a creed," exclaimed the 
other with ill-concealed astonishment. 

" Why, my good friend, do you suppose the Saviour 
preached three years and a half, called apostles, and sent 
them out into the world to establish churches, without 
having a creed ? " 

"Well, I don't suppose he did, when you come to .think 
of it ; but I should like to know where you find any record 
of it ? " 

" You may find it in your Douay Bible, Matthew 22 : 



352 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

37-40, and it reads : 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 
with all thy heart and soul and mind, and thy neighbor 
as thyself. On these two hang all the law and the pro- 
phets.' This is Christ's creed, and it is Divine. What 
do you think of it ? " 

The Romanist admitted that it was superior to the 
Apostles' creed, and walked away, having evidently re- 
ceived a new thought in relation to Divine truth. 



XVIII. 
A VACATION INCIDENT. 

The commission of the Christian worker is universal 
in character, equally in force in all localities. 

One day during the summer of 1880, as Mr. Mo wry 
was walking along the streets of a city in a neighboring 
State, he was led, through an unexpected incident, to 
visit a mechanic's shop. 

As he entered the establishment he was confronted by 
a young man, whose bearing and manner indicated that 
he was the owner of the shop. 

Mr. Mowry examined a piece of his work which lay 
at hand, and finding it admirable in design and execu- 
tion, said : 

" If you do as good work in the vineyard as in your 
daily calling, you are safe for the upper kingdom. " 

He looked at Mowry for a moment, and then, evidently 
astonished at the beginning of the conversation, replied, 



A VACATION INCIDENT. 353 

" I am not a member of any church, but I guess I'm 
about as good as those who are. " 

" Which class of church members are you comparing 
yourself with ; the best or the worst ? " 

"Well/'— hesitatingly— "I'll take the average." 

" How will you compare with Paul and John, or, com- 
ing nearer our own time, with Whitfield, Finney, or the 
Wesleys ? " 

" Oh," he answered, " they were converted Chris- 
tians ! " 

" Certainly they were," Mowry replied, " and no one 
is a Christian in God's sight, who has not been regener- 
ated — born again — thus becoming a new creature in 
Christ Jesus." 

" I don't claim that; I'd rather make no profession at 
all, than profess and not possess," he said, rather 
curtly. 

Mowry asked him if he ever knew a man who was so 
afraid of counterfeit money as to refuse the genuine 
coin. 

He replied that he never did, and that he should con- 
sider such a one very inconsistent. 

" Would you ? but did you never think that you are 
still more inconsistent ? " 

He made no reply ; and as Mr. Mown- followed up the 
thought and showed him his true position before God, 
it was evident that he was an awakened sinner. 

They parted, with the promise on Mowry's part to stop 
in again — a promise which was unexpectedly redeemed 
the same afternoon — for a violent rain-storm overtook 



354 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

him on his way home, and compelled him to seek the 
shelter of the wagon-maker's shop until the shower 
passed. 

During his absence, however, it appears the man told 
a friend of the foregoing conversation, and he expressed 
a desire to be present should the missionary come 
again, saying he would soon settle his case in argu- 
ment. The wagon-maker informed Mr. Mowry of his 
friend's intention, and sent for him to come in from a 
neighboring blacksmith shop — as he was of that trade. 

Being in early manhood intimately connected with 
steel-working and having a perfect knowledge of its 
manufacture in all branches, Mr. Mowry immediately 
accosted the new-comer in relation to his business, and 
asked if he knew how to perform a certain piece of work 
in the manufacture of the metal, the secret of which was 
in the missionary's possession, and known only to few 
artisans. The man forgot all about his intended argu- 
ment, and acknowledged that he knew nothing of the 
method himself, and had never yet seen any one that 
did. 

" Would you like to know the secret ; it is in my 
possession ? " remarked Mr. Mowry. 

" Indeed I would, and be thankful besides," he replied 
eagerly. 

Mowry carefully explained the whole process, and the 
new-comer evinced by his changed manner how 
thoroughly he appreciated what had been done for 
him. 

"Now," said. Mowry, "as I have proved that I know 



A VACATION INCIDENT. 355 

something about your calling which you did not 
know, perhaps you will be more ready to believe that I 
know something about my own of which you are still 
more ignorant. Shall we try titles on this score? " 

The door of the man's heart was open, and a conversa- 
tion ensued in which he became a respectful inquirer. 
He said at its conclusion, that it was the first time in his 
life that any one had proved their assertions as they went 
along, and that although he had often been approached 
on the subject of religion, those who spoke to him 
succeeded in provoking him to retort, but generally 
left him in a worse condition at the close of the con- 
versation, than they found him at the beginning. 

He * * **¥r # * 

This incident occurred in Flint, Michigan, and resulted 
in the conversion of the blacksmith on the day of 
the original interview (as Mr. Mowry learned from a 
letter subsequently received from him). 

Nothings however, was known of the result regarding 
the wagon-maker until Mr. Mowry wrote to a leading 
temperance-worker in Flint, requesting him to hunt the 
man up and inquire concerning his welfare. 

The following is a quotation from the answer to the 
letter just mentioned : 

" I found the wagon-maker at work in the same place. 
I told him the object of my visit, and that he had not 
been forgotten by the stranger who called upon him 
years before. It was all fresh as though it were but 
yesterday. ' Tell him I am now a member of a Christian 
church, a class-leader and a Sabbath-school teacher, and 



356 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

I go back to that never-to-be-forgotten day when we 
so strangely met, for the first deep and lasting impres- 
sion that led me to act as well as think, until I found 
Jesus precious to my soul, and so cast my lot with the 
people of God for life/ " 



XIX. 

A ROMANIST CONVINCED. 

In conversing with a Romanist Mowry chanced to 
remark that the connection between Christ and his 
disciples was more intimate and endearing than any tie 
belonging to mere blood relationship. He quoted Matt 
xiii. 55, 56, in proof of his assertion. The man at once 
asked if Mowry thought Mary ever had any other 
children save Jesus ? The missionary replied that the 
passage quoted, and many others, unmistakably proved 
that she had. 

" Prove to my satisfaction that the Virgin Mary had 
other children," he exclaimed, " and I am no longer a 
Roman Catholic." 

Soon after Mowry copied the three following passages : 
Matt. xiii. 55, 56, Mark vi. 3, Luke viii. 20, as recorded 
both in the Protestant and Catholic Bible, and at their 
next interview read them from both versions. 

" Oh," said he, " the brothers and sisters referred to 
indicate the relationship he sustained to the whole world." 

" Then," said Mowry, " we are to understand, when he 



READY AT ALL TIMES. 357 

was told that his brothers and sisters were without, desiring 
to see him, that the whole world was at the door anxious 
to come in and speak with their brother ; and in the other 
passage, that those who do His will and those who do not 
are regarded in the same light by Him — which doctrine 
the Bible certainly contradicts.' ' 

"You are right," he exclaimed; "I see it all; I am 
satisfied." 

" Then of course you are, according to your argument, 
no longer a Catholic ? " 

He made no reply. 



XX. 

"READY AT ALL TIMES." 

" Be ye ready at all times to give a reason for the hope 
that is in you, with meekness and fear." 

After nearly a quarter century of labor in the Raymond 
Street Jail of this city, Mr. Mowry can abundantly testify 
to the necessity of the Christian worker's ability to con- 
form to the above quotation. 

One day during his rounds from cell to cell, he 
presented a tract to one of the prisoners, who rudely 
said : 

" I don't read such stuff as that. " 

" What do you read ? " quietly asked Mowry. 

" Oh, novels and stories about robbers and murderers !" 
he replied with careless bravado. 



358 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES. 

" Well, do you think such reading makes you any 
better ? " 

" Don't know as it does ; nor worse either, for that 
matter." 

" Well, my man, life is too short and uncertain to make 
many such experiments as you are making ; and I call 
upon you to turn your attention toward making your 
peace with the God you have offended and insulted." 

" Oh, I ain't got much of an opinion of Christians and 
their religion ; but if you can answer three questions to 
my satisfaction, perhaps I may change my mind." 

" You may ask as many as you desire." 

"The first question is, what is religion ? Second, what 
is its effect ? Third, can you answer my first two by your 
own personal experience ? " 

" I will try and answer each of these questions. First : 
Religion is being right in the highest sense, both between 
God and man, and is the result of regeneration by the 
Holy Spirit ; or, in other words, it is holiness. 

" Second : Its effect is to lead the soul into that rela- 
tionship with God which is expressed by the flame of a 
lighted candle and the sun — the same in kind, but differ- 
ent in intensity. The regenerated soul enjoys what God 
requires, and dislikes what he forbids. 

" As to your third question, whether I know from experi- 
ence that these statements are true, I answer yes. I 
know it by every experience of my life. The things which 
the old nature delighted in, through regeneration became 
hateful to me ; the truths of God's word, the company of 
His people, the fulfilling of His commandments, which 



SEEING AND BELIEVING. 35 l J 

before my conversion were alike indifferent to me, be- 
came my happiness and my constantly increasing joy ; 
and I can assure you that to-day, after having an experi- 
ence of religion and its effects of over half a century's 
duration, I feel competent to say that the results ia my 
own case are such as abundantly warrant me in recom 
mending practical Christianity to every soul under the 
curse of the law. Religion has made me love God, and 
has given me a peace which passes all understanding ; a 
peace which, in the hour of deepest affliction, when death 
had entered my home and taken my loved companion, 
sustained me as only the power of Almighty God can do 
at such a time." 

The prisoner's head bent lower and lower as Mowry 
went on, until, at the conclusion of the answer, he reached 
out his hand, saying : 

"I'll take the tract." 

From that time he became an earnest inquirer. 



XXI. 
SEEING AND BELIEVING. 

" Is your town a thriving one ? " asked Mr. Mowry, 
after chatting awhile with a man from a neighboring 
place. 

" Oh, yes ; quite a live town, I can tell you j consider- 
able manufacturing going on, and good mechanics in 
demand." 



360 MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES, 

" Have yoiTmany hands employed in the establishment 
where you work ? " 

"There are about one hundred all told, I should 
think." 

" How many of them are Christians ? " 

" Now you ask me too much. I'm sure I don't know." 

" I suppose," continued Mowry, " there are some 
Universalists among the workmen. " 

" Oh, yes ; about twenty or so belong to that denom- 
ination." 

" How's this ? " retorted Mowry, quickly ; " there must 
be something wrong with you ; I ask about the number 
of God's children, and you can't tell me ; but you seem 
to be perfectly familiar with those who belong to the 
devil's family." 

" Well, I am one who does not believe that God made 
half the people simply to damn them afterwards," cried 
the other snappishly. 

" Neither do I believe it," answered Mowry, quietly ; 
"but I do believe that unless men make use of the 
means God provides, they will be damned eternally." 

" For my part I don't pretend to believe what I don't 
understand. How you can preach fore-ordination and 
free agency too, is more than I can see. No, no ! I 
won't believe what I can't comprehend ! " 

" Indeed ! " cried Mowry ; " I'm glad to meet you, 
for if this be true you are the wisest man I have ever 
met. You say you believe only what you comprehend ; 
but before I accept that statement I should like to test 
you." 



SEEING AND BELIEVING. 361 

" All right, go ahead." 

Mowry began to describe a circle in the air with his 
finger, and then cut it into imaginary segments. The 
other watched him in amazement, and finally said, 

" Well, what's all that mean ? " 

" Did you see me move my ringer round and round, 
and up and down, and right and left ? " 

" Of course I saw it." 

" Do you believe I did it ? " 

"To be sure, seeing's believing." 

" Ah ! you believe I did it, eh ? but do you compre- 
hend how I did it ? " 

The other was mute, and Mowry continued, 

" If I were to spend the time, I could name a hundred 
things in as many minutes, which you would admit that 
you believe, but not one of which you comprehend, and 
yet because you cannot know and understand all the 
wisdom of God, you refuse to accept His Word. 

This simple illustration resulted in the man's con- 
version, and he went back to his work openly testifying 
for Christ, in the presence of his fellow-workmen. 



